When I am going to the classroom in Charlestown I'm trying to figure out how to fold in my expertise of gardening with the children's interests in the classroom.  The teachers help me understand what they are interested in by suggesting that we grow herbs because the children began a restaurant.

One day when I came into the classroom I noticed that the children had made a sign above their restaurant. They called it "Figs" after the famous pizza restaurant in Charlestown.  I thought, "How perfect!  I can fold in growing herbs and vegetables with their new interest of figs!"

I suggested to one of the teachers that the children could visit Figs and ask the cooks how they cook their pizza's.  The following week I came in with two kinds of herbs, Oregano and Basil along with english muffins, cheese and marinera sauce.  You guessed it!  We made english muffin pizza's!  I had a small group of children who helped me make the pizza during inquiry time, and then after all other activities ended, we shared what we learned about the herbs we used on the pizza.  We used fresh herbs so they were handed around for the children to touch and smell, and then the children taste tested!

One child took a bite then looked at me with wide eyes and exclaimed, "I love herbs!"