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Wisdom discovered at Hokubu
Hokubu Elementary School students curious about what it's like to live in a tent pile in with me. 99.11.30/ Temperature: 1.5C/ Weather: Rain/ Wind Direction: W
Current Location: Ogunimachi 38 03 42 N 139 45 33 E
Distance Traveled: 0 km (Children's Point)Today was a chance for Hokubu Elementary School to sit in the limelight and reveal all that they have learned in their own explorations for wisdom in the fruitful mountains of Yamagata Prefecture. Young and determined the sixth year students of Hokubu have spent the past few months struggling with the theme of "Future Foods."
Immediately upon meeting the 8 sixth-grade adventurers, I was treated to a special introduction. Each of them told me their names and their future dreams. Some want to become nurses or scientists, others computer programmers or coffee shop owners; each of them has a big vision for the future. After sharing with them the 'dream' of this journey (Exploration for Wisdom), setting up my tent, trying on my backpack, and getting to know one another, it was time for them to give their presentation on future foods.
In mid-presentation, Hokubu Elementary School students. A hint of nervous tension filled the classroom as student prepared for their presentation. We all sat together, our school desks arranged in a half circle. In groups of two, students rotated to the front of the classroom to present the contents of their own exploration for the wisdom of food. They started their investigation of looking for food of the future by taking a look back in time. Foxtail and Japanese millets are said to have been widely used to supplement rice as the staple food here in the mountainous region of Yamagata Prefecture. Though few people still eat such foods, they are currently being re-evaluated and reinterpreted as health foods. Students began their presentation explaining how their search for wisdom began.
Mixed grain okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake) being prepared by students.. Each group, perhaps a slight bit tense, proceeded smoothly. The hard work that went into their presentation showed in their proud faces. Topics ranged from health foods, to the nutritional value of millets and wheat, a comparison of 'snack time' today and long ago, stories shared by grandparents and even the students' own idea of what future foods should be. (A full report of their activities can be expected from Hokubu sixth year students themselves, so stay tuned.) The students did not stop at merely explaining about millets and wheat. They took to the task of mastering several ways to prepare the healthy grains. We spent the afternoon actually cooking together. On the menu was foxtail millet cookies, mixed grain steam cake, wheat curry soup, mixed grain dry curry, sweet potato rice, and mixed grain okonomiyaki (Japanese pancakes).
Happy at the sight of mixed grain dry curry, Hokubu Elementary School student. Knives chopped and diced vegetables; gas stove flames burned gently. The home economics classroom was lively with 8 master chefs quickly to work on their 6 new dishes. Though there was some concern about how the dishes would turn out, the healthy foods satisfied our taste buds. (My favorite was the okonomiyaki.) Smiles stretching across the students' faces, was a sign that they gained something from all of their hard work. I will let them speak for themselves. The following is an excerpt from their presentation.
"I think that future food is healthy food. I used to only think of about the easy preparation and taste of food. Food didn't have anything to do with healthiness. Through our studies, I have realized how important it is to re-evaluate things. By looking back to a different generation we were able to make a new discovery. I used to think of millets and wheat as only 'poor food' and not very tasty, but now I have begun to think that they are healthy food. This links with our future foods theme.
Through exploration for wisdom, I have changed the way I think. I think others feel the same way."
Their adventures will continue tomorrow. What do you other groups think about healthy foods and food for the future? I'm sure that Hokubu would love to hear comments, encouragement, and any ideas you may have.
Greg
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