McCall 6th graders started out wanting to improve school lunch and became the school lunch lady’s fiercest advocate
What did they care about?
Sixth grade students in Homeroom 321 were disappointed with their school lunches. They understood the role that food plays in culture and learning. In their own words: “Quality lunches matter because they help us learn. They bring us happiness. They reflect who we are. They keep us energized and healthy.”
What did the students learn?
The class researched the history of school lunches and what they can do to fix them. As part of their research they visited the Science History Institute’s Lunchtime Exhibit on the history of science on the school food tray.
Initially they complained and blamed the person they knew as Ms. Loren, the school “lunch lady,” for not making the school food well. When they invited Ms. Loren to come to their classroom to speak as a community partner, they realized how she really wanted to make great food but wasn’t able to. Ms. Loren taught them about the company that makes the food and the limitations of what is served and prepared. She told them how the food is delivered, what happens to the food if they don’t eat it, the details and challenges of her daily schedule, and the hardest parts about her job: Old and missing equipment, being alone a lot of the time, intense heat and loud noise. The students were also surprised to discover that Ms. Loren felt sad because the 6th graders never spoke to her or said hello. They asked her, “Who are your hardest students?” They thought she would say the younger kids, but she said, “actually it’s you guys–the younger kids say hi to me, but you don’t, and interacting with you is what makes my job better.” Shocked by all the challenges she faced, and their own participation in it, they became filled with compassion for her situation.
What did they do about the issue?
Inspired by what they learned from their readings and the community partner visit with Ms. Loren, the students decided to hold a fundraiser to help make her life better. They held bake sales to raise money to purchase oven racks for the school oven, and a fan to help keep Ms. Loren more comfortable in the kitchen.
They also made posters so that all McCall students understood why their lunches weren’t cooked properly, how they were trying to fix it, and how to treat Ms. Loren with more empathy, kindness and respect.