Watching a couple of episodes of Duck Dynasty (the hit A&E reality show) I laughed along with everyone else in America when Phil Robertson, field dressed a duck in a biology class. Students started gagging and the school had a fit. Similarly, Jase Robertson was sited by his HOA for dressing a deer in the front yard. Granted, there is a place and expectation of discretion for certain activities but their problems highlight the squeemish culture we are creating in society.
Everyone understands that meat comes from animals but the ease of purchasing it at the store has removed us from the understanding of providing for the table. Sometimes the stark reality of how we continue to exist should be a topic for our students to understand.
In my student teaching experience I was discussing being from a farm. Inner city Indianapolis is not that far removed the rolling fields of corn and beans I grew up working in. While pre-reading a book with a class of fourth graders I asked them where the corn came from they ate at lunch. The entire class said it came from over there by the railroad tracks.
Confused I asked for more information. After confusing me even further and to the great amusement of my cooperating teacher a young man became frustrated, jumped out of his seat and pointed out the window. "Corn comes from over there by the railroad. In the big cylinder building, SEE!" I was so astonished. Twenty two fourth graders thought that corn was made and came from the Cargill processing plant that they all lived in the shadow of.
Sometimes we have to be shown how simple it can be, try to do something for ourselves, and reflect about what we know. In helping teachers, students and my daughter I have to be sure I am not creating an entitlement situation. If it comes to easy they won't appreciate it. You have to examine the innards of what you want in order to understand the situation and be successful for yourself.