Title: The Peanut-Free Cafe

Author: Gloria Koster

Publication Date: 2006

Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company, Morton Grove, Illinois

Description:

The Peanut-Free Cafe is about a school that gains a student who is allergic to peanuts, needs to solve the lunch room dilema, and a young boy having to come to terms with compromising on his lunch.

Reasons for choosing:

This book is the best fiction book selection because it is fun, deals with real life issues children face, and applied to multiple areas of the classroom besides literacy.

Integration into the core curriculum:

I would integrate this into math curriculum through story problems. I could write problems for most all of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics including, 3.OA.A.1 through 3.OA.A.4, 3.OA.B.5 through 3.OA.B.6, 3.OA.C.7, 3.OA.D.8 through 3.OA.D.9, and 3.NF.A.1 through 3.NF.A.3. (Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, pg. 22-26)

• • • Example problem: Simon had 7/12 of a pound of popcorn and Grant had 9/5 of a pound of popcorn, who has more popcorn?

I would integrate this into a science unit about the human body, including how allergic reactions work and how they’re inherited.This aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards 3-LS3-1, 3-LS3-2, and 3-LS4-2. (Next Generation Science Standards for Inheritance and Variation of Traits)

I would integrate this into social studies in a social interactions curriculum. Fits with anchor standards CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.1, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.2, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.6. (Common Core State Standards for Social Studies)

You could also do an art project creating flyers for the peanut free cafe, or painting your own peanut free cafe scene after learning about Vincent van Gogh and his piece Cafe Terrace at Night. Standards: EALR 1, EALR 2, EALR 3, and EALR 4. (OSPI Visual Arts Standards)

Excerpt:

““Because if I eat just one peanut or anything with peanut oil, I can’t breathe. I have to take my medicine right away.” Grant placed his hand on his neck and pretended he was choking.”

“On Tuesday the Peanut-Free Cafe was open for business with baskets of popcorn, paper tablecloths, and crayons for doodling. Just like a real restaurant, the Peanut-Free Cafe had many customers. Many Nutley students were ready to try something new, but not Simon. Even though it was his idea, Simon was definitely not ready.”

“The next morning he marched into the kitchen. “TODAY,” he proclaimed, “I AM NOT GOING TO BRING PEANUT BUTTER TO SCHOOL! Please make me something different. Anything at all.”

“On Friday Simon finally joined Grant, Zoe, Jered, Paul, and Jadyn. The friends sat together at the Peanut-Free Cafe. They laughed and talked. Dirt Bike Rodents in the Amazon Rainforest was about to begin.”

Standards:

NHES:

NHES 1 Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention to enhance health.

HE1.5.1 Name the food groups and a variety of nutritious food choices for each group.
HE1.5.4 Explain the importance of eating a variety of foods from all the food groups.
HE1.5.15 Describe the benefits of healthy eating.

 

NHES 2 Students will analyze the influence of family, peers, culture, media, technology, and other factors on health behaviors.

HE2.5.1 Identify relevant influences of culture on food choices and other eating practices and behaviors.
HE2.5.2 Identify relevant influences of peers on food choices and other eating practices and behaviors.
HE2.5.3 Identify relevant influences of community on food choices and other eating practices and behaviors.
HE2.5.4 Describe how relevant influences of family and culture affect personal food choices and other eating practices and behaviors.
HE2.5.5 Describe how relevant influences of school and community affect personal food choices and other eating practices and behaviors.
HE2.5.6 Describe how relevant influences of media (e.g. advertising) and technology affect personal food choices and other eating practices and behaviors.
HE2.5.7 Describe how relevant influences of peers affect personal food choices and other eating practices and behaviors.

 

NHES 3 Students will demonstrate the ability to access valid information, products, and services to enhance health.

HE3.5.1 Describe characteristics of accurate nutrition information.
HE3.5.2 Describe characteristics of appropriate and reliable nutrition products.
HE3.5.3 Describe characteristics of appropriate and trustworthy nutrition services.
HE3.5.4 Demonstrate how to locate sources of accurate nutrition information.

 

NHES 4 Students will demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks.

HE4.5.1 Demonstrate effective verbal and nonverbal communication to avoid unhealthy food choices and promote healthy eating.
HE4.5.3 Demonstrate how to effectively ask for help to improve personal food choices and promote healthy eating.

 

NHES 5 Students will demonstrate the ability to use decision-making skills to enhance health.

HE5.5.2 Decide when help is needed and when it is not needed to make a decision related to healthy eating behaviors.
HE5.5.4 Identify options and their potential outcomes when making a decision related to healthy and safe eating behaviors.

NHES 6 Students will demonstrate the ability to use goal-setting skills to enhance health.

HE6.5.1 Set a realistic personal goal related to improving healthy eating behaviors.

NHES 7 Students will demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and avoid or reduce health risks.

HE7.5.1 Describe practices and behaviors that reduce or prevent unhealthy eating and behaviors.

NHES 8 Students will demonstrate the ability to advocate for personal, family, and community health.

HE8.5.1 Give factual information to improve the food and beverage selections of others

HBOs:

HBO 9. Eat healthy foods while dining out.
HBO 10. Prepare food in healthful ways.
HBO 12. Follow an eating plan for healthy growth and development.

Learning Objectives:

Students will learn to be aware and respectful of others allergies.

Students will learn how to eat in a manner that is healthy and safe for the whole community.