As part of their chocolate unit, first graders recently teamed up with an upper school Economics class. Together, they explored where food comes from, using chocolate as an example to learn about the supply chain and Fair Trade practices, which ensure fair treatment and pay for farmers and workers. The economics students led the younger students in a supply chain simulation they created.

The first graders role-played as farmers (planting and watering cocoa seeds), factory workers (turning beans into chocolate bars), and chocolate shop owners (selling to teachers). This hands-on activity vividly illustrated the chocolate-making process, helping the students understand the journey from cocoa beans to the treats they enjoy.

Teacher Nathaniel Shaw, also a chef, on a later day revisited the class with roasted cocoa beans. The students cracked and peeled the beans by hand, then blended them with sugar to create real liquid chocolate. They poured the chocolate into molds to make bars they could take home, in candy wrappers they designed themselves! This experience offered a special, firsthand look at the bean-to-bar process.