 The summer sun is shining and fresh organic fruit is everywhere. Eat it off the tree or vine or try it in a favorite American dish: cobbler. While the local selection may vary, this dessert suits fruits from all regions. A classic American sweet that dates back to Colonial times, the cobbler is a deep-dish upside-down fruit pie with a biscuit-like crust. Although peach, berry, cherry and apple are the most popular, cobblers can be made with any fruit.
Preparing a cobbler with your child (and waiting for the sweet reward) can be a delicious event and a fun learning experience, too!
Geography: Look at a map of the U.S. and ask your child to find your state on the map.
Science: How does the weather vary in each region of the U.S. and, in turn, affect the produce?
Music: Listen to the sounds of American music. Beat a drum to a Native American rhythm or play some southern jazz or blues. Or, you can play Jazz for Kids: Sing, Clap, Wiggle and Shake, Putumayo Kids New Orleans Playground or The Peasall Sisters’ Home to You.
Food: Talk about the local fruits for each region.
The Pacific Northwest: Cherries, berries, apples, pears and grapes.
The West (mainly California): Strawberries, peaches, grapes and oranges.
The Southwest: This area grows many of the same fruits as the West.
The Midwest: Vegetables are more common than fruit, but you’ll find blackberries, strawberries and apples.
The South: Peaches, citrus, berries, tomatoes and melons.
The Mid-Atlantic: Rhubarb, cherries, plums and apples.
The Northeast: Apples and all berries.
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