Working Lunch (DISH)
#9 in Dish Series
on Goodreads (1)
What’s inside...
Working Lunch (DISH) is a practical guide authored by Diane Muldrow that offers valuable tips and strategies for maximizing productivity and enjoyment during the lunch break. It covers time management techniques and healthy eating suggestions, making it a useful resource for anyone looking to optimize their lunch hour. Additionally, a special event called 'Kids at Work Day' is described where the girls of Dish explore new job opportunities, expecting it to be easy based on their prior experiences, but they encounter unexpected challenges.
Discussion points
What do you think makes a good team, based on how the characters worked together in the story?
How did the characters solve problems during their lunch project? Can you think of a time when you solved a problem with friends?
What was your favorite part of the characters' lunch preparation and why?
Why do you think sharing meals is important for the characters in the book?
How do you feel when you help make a meal at home?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the story to their own experiences by asking about times they have worked with others to achieve a goal, similar to the characters in the book. Highlight the importance of teamwork and cooperation discussed in 'Working Lunch,' and relate it to everyday activities. Embrace discussions about food and cooking, asking your child about their favorite meals to prepare or eat. Also, emphasize the social aspect of sharing meals, and how it can strengthen relationships, just like in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Value of Teamwork
Explanation: In 'Working Lunch,' characters collaborate to prepare a meal, demonstrating how working together can achieve great results.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by participating in group activities at school or in sports, learning to cooperate and value each team member's contribution.
Example Lesson: Importance of Following Directions
Explanation: The story shows the characters carefully following a recipe, emphasizing the importance of following steps to accomplish a task successfully.
Real-World Application: Kids can use this lesson when doing homework, building a model, or cooking with family, understanding that order and precision lead to success.
Example Lesson: Creativity in Problem-Solving
Explanation: When the characters encounter obstacles, they use creative solutions to overcome them, highlighting inventive thinking.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think creatively when they face challenges, whether it's finding a way to fix a broken toy or resolving a disagreement with a friend.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and Dependability
Explanation: Each character in the book has specific tasks that they are accountable for, teaching the importance of being dependable in any team situation.
Real-World Application: Children learn to take ownership of their responsibilities, whether it's completing their chores, or being a reliable teammate or classmate.
Example Lesson: Joy of Cooking and Sharing Meals
Explanation: The book concludes with characters sharing the meal they prepared together, instilling a sense of accomplishment and the social joy of sharing.
Real-World Application: This lesson can inspire children to participate in cooking at home and appreciate family meal times as moments of bonding and enjoyment.