Pineapple, mango, kiwi, and strawberries for 80 students? I didn’t want to blow all my grant money on the second week of garden club, and I couldn’t find a grocery store in town willing to donate that much pricey produce. I had no idea how I would be able to pull off this lesson.

Though each child was in the vicinity of a desk or chair, most were reaching and moving, talking with friends, or poking each other. The rare seat held a child sitting quietly, removed from the din, reading a book.

I was terrified.