An Autumn Sweet Potato Digging Excursion
Preschool
October 18, 2017
On Wednesday, October 11, fine weather and warm autumn air welcomed us for a sweet potato digging excursion.
The children were excited even on the bus!
As soon as we arrived, they noticed not only the crop but also many insects. They watched closely and gently touched insects a teacher had caught.
After greeting the farmer, we listened to an explanation of the field and how to dig. During questions, children eagerly asked how the potatoes could be eaten and cooked.
Then the digging began!
They worked hard, wondering what would emerge, and celebrated each discovery. There were large potatoes, small ones, potatoes with fine roots and clusters joined together—so many shapes!
Everyone came to show us their finds with delighted expressions.
Back at school, children selected potatoes to take home in bags. Choosing which ones was part of the fun.
Some filled their bags so much that they exclaimed, “Heavy!”, but their smiles showed how pleased they were.
We planned to use the harvest in cooking and other lessons, and began doing so the very next day and the day after.
We were already looking forward to another visit the following year!
The farmer was introduced to us through our annual food education plan with a French restaurant owner.
This farm did not normally grow sweet potatoes. They had grown them especially for Cosmo Global Kids.
Their usual specialty was very sweet tomatoes grown using a particular technique. The original article noted that their tomato production and sales had been featured on the television program Gaia no Yoake.
The children were excited even on the bus!
As soon as we arrived, they noticed not only the crop but also many insects. They watched closely and gently touched insects a teacher had caught.
After greeting the farmer, we listened to an explanation of the field and how to dig. During questions, children eagerly asked how the potatoes could be eaten and cooked.
Then the digging began!
They worked hard, wondering what would emerge, and celebrated each discovery. There were large potatoes, small ones, potatoes with fine roots and clusters joined together—so many shapes!
Everyone came to show us their finds with delighted expressions.
Back at school, children selected potatoes to take home in bags. Choosing which ones was part of the fun.
Some filled their bags so much that they exclaimed, “Heavy!”, but their smiles showed how pleased they were.
We planned to use the harvest in cooking and other lessons, and began doing so the very next day and the day after.
We were already looking forward to another visit the following year!
Satoru
The farmer was introduced to us through our annual food education plan with a French restaurant owner.
This farm did not normally grow sweet potatoes. They had grown them especially for Cosmo Global Kids.
Their usual specialty was very sweet tomatoes grown using a particular technique. The original article noted that their tomato production and sales had been featured on the television program Gaia no Yoake.