A healthy menu task with parents and learners

The English lesson is taking place in the library of the school today. The four-formers, some of their parents, the teacher in charge and one of the headteachers are there. The learners are in groups. The place is bustling because of people chatting and talking loudly. This is the final task of the unit about food. All the groups have to create a healthy menu for the school. At the end of the task, the best menu will be chosen.

The teacher of English asks for silence but the buzzing continues because of the excitement of the participants. As soon as everybody is silent, the teacher explains the task they have to complete. The students and families are eager to start, so when the teacher announces the beginning of the task, they start working carefully. The learners have brought pictures and drawings and they stick them on cardboard sheets of different colours. The parents help them and they seem to be enjoying this moment. The teacher circulates monitoring and interacting with parents and learners.

Lastly, when the posters are ready, they are presented to the whole class. The learners describe the menu and even some parents speak English, a fact that makes others laugh. At the end of the class, parents express their gratitude for being part of the task, which has been a way of spending time with their children. This has been a rewarding class for all the members of the school community.