Japanese Inspired Lunch Lesson of a Lifetime
New to Homeschooling? Finding teachable moments in basic daily activities is a teaching style we thrive on. For example, lunch could be the most important subject in your Homeschooling Curriculum. In Japan, learning does not stop during lunches. The student driven lunch concept is something that can easily be incorporated in American Homeschooling.
We consistently practice being thankful for our food by a prayer before digging in. A routine that is important and easy to do. However, with that first bite, that feeling of thankfulness passes quickly because the objective is to eat quickly to get on to the next task or activity.
Student led lunchtime in Japan are unrushed and treated as a sacred ritual filled with a culture of gratitude. Everything from acknowledging the food source, to the no waste clean-up process. The benefits of Japan’s Student Led lunch leads to rich lessons in sustainability, self-sufficiency, the power of service and gratitude.
There are many articles that inspired us, for example: It’s Not Just About the Food https://foodtank.com/news/2015/05/japanese-school-lunch-its-not-just-about-the-food/. Another was a Netflix show Ugly Delicious S2: E1 Kid’s Menu where they experience how it works in a school in Tokyo. Not to mention YouTube videos that are equally if not more inspiring. If you are willing to go down that rabbit hole, search Japan School Lunch, it’s worth it.
How it works in Japan.
The servers, are a group of students chosen to lead lunchtime and serve their peers food. The process starts from the servers going to the school kitchen to deliver the lunch cart to the classroom. Before heading back to the classroom, the group collectively thank the cooks on behalf of the class. Lunch is approx 40 mins and is eaten in the classroom with the teacher. It is a structured environment that values respect for each other and respect for the meal.
As the class lines up to get their lunch from the “servers”, they request the amount they believe they can finish. The idea here is zero waste. If students want another helping, they are free to get more. And again, gratitude, the class expresses their thankfulness to the servers with a, “thank you for serving us delicious food.” During this time, the teacher or student servers may announce something about the lunch items, for example, the source of ingredients. Some schools have vegetable gardens that supply the ingredients for the lunches. What a great way to incorporate a sustainable living lesson and experience the fruits of their labor it at same time. This is some real time, hands on learning here!
New to Homeschooling and don’t know where to start? Start now with lunch!
There is a learning curve, learning about different homeschooling styles, and feeling like you may fail your children if you don’t choose the best fit. There are at least 10 different Homeschooling models out there to choose from. I remember thinking, “what’s the difference between Waldorf Homeschooling vs Charlotte Mason, or Eclectic vs Worldschooling, or Classic Homeschooling vs Unschooling, etc.” Honestly, we can say we will probably be figuring it out and altering as we go, based on our kid’s individual needs until they leave for college, I suppose that would fall under Eclectic?
But one thing for certain, regardless of the approach that you select, think about how you can incorporate academic and life skills attainment, throughout the day. Lunch can be used as a break or you can extend learning through a homeschooling lunch curriculum.
Homeschool Lunch Curriculum Impact
All 4 of our kids rotate the role of server. Our daughters are naturals leaders and thrive in this role. But I wanted to talk about our 7 years old thoughtful yet sensitive son. He is smack dab in the middle of 3 sisters ages 12, 10, and 5. He does not have the benefit of special privileges that the oldest gets or the attention the youngest gets. Although he gets along extremely well with his sisters, he knows there is limit of rough play they will tolerate. I’ll admit he go unheard sometimes and his feelings can get lost in the shuffle among the loudness that can erupt among 3 confident, strong-headed girls.
The first time giving our son the opportunity to be a server changed his demeanor right before our eyes. Right away you could see the leader in him come out. He did everything from planning the meal, to prepping, helping cook it, and serving it. Gratitude was expressed from his sisters for “cooking the delicious food” and “serving the delicious food”. He loved every moment of it. He learned so much from the process. We learned that leadership and a love for learning can be gained from this style of showing gratitude and respect towards food. Not to mention lessons in sustainable living and self-reliance. Traits that will last a lifetime.
Change an ordinary lunch routine into an extraordinarily meaningful, life molding tradition.
So if you are thinking about homeschooling, and know that homeschooling right for your family but pulling your hair out on where to start. No place better to start than a homeschooling lunch curriculum!
