Ms. Stone's Literacy Class Samples Baklava for Eid
Ms. Stone’s seventh-grade Literacy class recently learned about Eid-al Fitr, the Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan. As part of our cultural exploration, students had the opportunity to sample baklava, a popular dessert that is often eaten during Eid celebrations.
During the tasting session, the students were encouraged to pay close attention to the gustatory, tactile, and visual details of the baklava. They were asked to think about the flavors, textures, and appearance of the desert, and to describe them using sensory language.
After sampling the baklava, students brainstormed a list of gustatory, tactile, and visual imagery details to describe the dessert. They used words like "sticky," "flaky," and "syrupy" to describe the texture, and phrases like "golden brown," "square," and "shiny" to describe the appearance. They also noted the flavors of the nuts, honey, and cinnamon, and the way the different flavors blended together.
Today’s baklava tasting session was a great way for the students to learn about a different culture and to explore the sensory experience of food. While some students enjoyed this treat, others thought baklava was too sweet or sticky for their liking. Overall, it was a great experience in trying something new. Ms. Stone hopes this will inspire her students to continue to explore and appreciate different cultures and cuisines.