Making Elderberry Jelly

The first time I heard about Elderberries was when we were notified that our family ranch, where I lived at the time, is habitat for the endangered Elderberry Longhorn Beetle. Later I would learn that the fruit of this California Native plant is also said to boost the immune system. This week I made elderberry jelly with the kids at Peregrine School. 

This may be a project you can try at home if you have access to elderberries, but from a broader perspective, this plant shows us all we can learn by studying and working with just one item, such as the elderberry!

Growing elderberry trees in our school garden teaches about gardening and native plants. The making of the jelly gives experience with cooking and canning, which involve math, chemistry and the art of local food. We study the plant within our ecosystem as habitat for species that depend on it. We can also use the elderberry as a window into studying Native American culture and plant medicine while we learn about the human immune system. Peregrine kids will be selling the elderberry syrup they have made at their weekly farmers market. Here, they learn about math and entrepreneurship. 

Growing Whole Children in the Garden offers perspectives on how to use the world outside our windows as a laboratory for learning about nature and culture. Check out the book for more ideas about how to explore and play with what you have at hand.