I have been waiting all week for this day.  I was so excited to get up this morning in anticipation of what I was about to learn, see and experience.  This is what I want to instill in my students.  I want to get them excited to learn.  What is it about today that I was so excited about?  What can I pinpoint throughout the experience and say that was the reason I was so excited?  Well, I knew I was going to get to go shopping and that always gets my juices flowing  (note to self…would my students like to shop?)  Next, I knew I was going to meet an actual person from the Amish faith.  I know how private they are, so I recognize what a priveledge this is (note self… could a guest speaker have the same effect?)  I don’t think there is another Ada Fisher, but it is important to have someone that knows of what they speak.

 Last, the meal.  I can’t verbalize how this effected me.  I expected commercial.  I was so wrong and I know that is an experience I will never ever forget.  The food (which is always a highlight) took a backseat to the children, the singing, the home.  It really makes me pretty emotional.  The whole homesick for my own children of 10 and 6 could play a huge role, but it was very moving.  I don’t have to note the fact that my students love food…any and all- at any time. 

So, what can I take from this?  I want to get my students excited to learn.  I can do this by making learning exciting.  I can do that by appealing to what interests them.  I know they would like to shop and eat and they are always eager to meet someone new and interesting.  Pull it together by having them create an Amish meal.  Google Amish recipes.  Write out a shopping list of necessary ingrediants and what can they grow and what needs to be purchased.  If they need something, where do they get it and in what means of transportation could they get there (introduce the horse and buggy). 

Once we decide on receipe and items, how are we going to cook the meal?  Remember – no electricity. 

Now knowing so much more about the Amish, I have one more piece to place into my lessons on diversity.