Juice eh?

One of the best bits of work that I like to put out is making orange juice. It is especially welcome during this time of year when the oranges and head colds are plentiful. It is so rewarding not only to me the observer but it is very rewarding to the child who masters making his/her own glass of juice.

This is a great treat and even something you could set up at home. Our tray is set up with a small drinking glass, a bowl of clementines, small wet sponge and a glass reamer set into a glass bowl. It is lovely to watch a child take this out and make a glass of juice. It is especially fun to see how they notice that there is magically juice in the cup and then there is that look to the teacher (do you think I should taste it) and they do and well, then we are filling the bowl all morning long with fresh oranges! Not only are the children making their own glass of juice but they must wash and dry all the pieces on the tray and place it back to the shelf as they would have found it so that the next child may come and enjoy this work. It takes a good 20 minutes or more for this work to be complete and placed back to the shelf for the next child. Hmmmmmm making juice and washing dishes- Sounds like a dream come true.

We have had this out for two weeks now and it will be leaving the practical life shelf soon. I encourage you to keep a small bowl of clementines on a shelf in your fridge that your child can access along with all the other parts to enjoy a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. Maybe this could be a new Saturday morning ritual while someone else is making the pancakes!