I grew up in the UK, eating the nasty school meals of the 1980's, hating every moment of it. Jamie Oliver, British chef extraordinaire, has in recent years, been trying to revolutionize school meals, first across the UK and now in the USA. Thinking about this, I have begun to realise just how important it is for children to have access to healthy food during their school day.
It seems in Ontario, there is no school meal policy. Children at elementary school have to bring their own meals to school in order to eat. There is of course, limited funding for emergency food to give to children with no lunches. This seems though to be diminishing. What kind of government condones children learning at school with little or no access to hot lunches? Many children attend school without having breakfast. Schools rely on outside charities to provide breakfast programs.
I personally think its so sad that there is little money to provide access to healthy meals to children. Without good food, children cannot be active learners. With so much pressure on children to perform, without access to healthy food, children will have difficulty living up to all the expectations upon them. Access to healthy food should be a right. It is a preventative measure, to ensure children grow up healthy and strong. Surely prevention is a good thing?
School meals could also be part of a school garden program. The children could grow the food as part of a school garden program. Being able to grow their food in a garden and then eat it, teaches children so much about being a part of their environment. That connection has been lost in this modern, consumer society. Food is an integral part of our society. Without healthy food, children will grow up sick and obese. What kind of world will it be if we don't stop and think about our children's future?
Monday, August 8, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
: Gardening as a Spiritual Practice
Spirituality & Practice: Map: Gardening as a Spiritual Practice
Just found these books. Haven't read them yet, I must admit, however, I think its a subject that needs to be thought about when out in the garden. I personally find being in the garden and outdoors at the local parks or in the countryside very spiritual. Its a time when you can be one with creation and enjoy fresh air and the trees swaying in the wind. I know from watching my children, how being in the countryside helps them to relax and rejuvenate.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Hiawatha Highlands
I've just enjoyed a wonderful visit to the Hiawatha Highlands near Sault Ste Marie. Its a total gem of a park and great escape for those of us who live in the city.Pity I didn't bring the camera as we found the waterfall today. Its an easy climb on boardwalk( Some steps are missing). We also walked around the lake at the bottom of the hill and were lucky enough to spot a turtle. The pines smelled wonderful and the peace was enjoyed by all!
Meatless Mondays
Meatless Monday | one day a week, cut out meat
I've been a vegetarian for about 15 years now. Living in Canada, I find this quite hard as Canadians seem to me to be a people who love their meat, just look out west to the beef production! I found this website that has recipes that can help you adopt a vegetarian meal once per week. You never know, you may enjoy it enough to become a vegetarian like me!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
School Is Out... Now What?
Sara Winter: School Is Out... Now What?
Interesting article about how to connect to your children during school vacation! Its a LONG and hot summer. Enjoy being outside with your children!
Must read books on education...
7 Must-Read Books on Education | Brain Pickings
Among this list is the book," The Element" by Sir Ken Robinson. He has fast become a guru on education for me. I am by no means an educator. I tried that once during my first undergraduate degree, teaching English in Germany. I was a disaster, but that is a whole other story. Learning about school gardens also brought me to a new understanding about education, one that Ken Robinson teaches, that not all children learn the same, that schools do not do a good job of teaching anything but Reading, Writing and Arithmetic ( But that would also depend on who you talk to) and don't, on the whole teach children to reach their potential in today's world.
School gardens have the magic of becoming a haven for learners who don't do well with the modern curriculum or the traditional ways of teaching that are espoused by schools today. There are many different ways to learn and its sad that schools can't help all children reach their potential to do well in the modern world. As I've said before, there is NOTHING a student cannot learn from being in a garden.
Now I have to confess, I haven't read any of the other books on the list, but hope to go to the library in the week to start on book number one. Maybe I can blog about these books over the coming weeks if time allows. For the time being though, I hope everyone who reads this, reads Ken Robinson's books and check him out on Twitter!
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