This is the fifth edition to my 5-part series on inspired lessons from Walt Disney World. Over five weeks, I have been highlighting 1 attraction or place in each of the parks where we can create learning opportunities that are fun. Since it is summer break when I write this, you might be vacationing at the parks and can use some of these ideas with the family. Or, you can design classroom lessons and environments for the new school year using these magical and inspirational ideas.
In creating my list of TOP PLACES IN WDW FOR EDUCATIONAL FUN, I found a pattern in my ideas which was using our senses. Each week, the attraction will have a connection to either HEARING, SEEING, TASING, TOUCHING, OR SMELLING.
ANIMAL KINGDOM
Using Our Sense of Taste at Satu'li Canteen
I saved Animal Kingdom for using our sense of taste because I knew there would be so many places to choose from because of the beautiful and inviting lands full of, but not limited to, Asian and African influences and inspirations. Since there are so many viable options, I decided to ask my friend Amanda Bauner from Disney Travel for All to collaborate with me on the last of the blog series, “Using Our Senses at Walt Disney World”. Here is what she had to say:
Disney’s Animal Kingdom has so many wonderful restaurants and food kiosks. When I think of using my sense of taste, the Animal Kingdom restaurant I would choose first is Satu’li Canteen, the quick service restaurant in Pandora – The World of Avatar. The food at Satu’li Canteen is some of the best in all of Walt Disney World. The ingredients taste very fresh.
One really great option is to create your own bowl. You can choose your base to be the texture and the taste you want – red and sweet potato hash, noodles, rice and beans, or a hearty salad. Then, choose your protein – wood-grilled chicken, sliced grilled beef, chili-garlic shrimp, or tofu. Then, top it off with your choice of sauce – charred green onion vinaigrette, black bean vinaigrette, creamy herb sauce, or no sauce. The taste combinations are so numerous! The bowls also come with two items with very different textures – a crunchy vegetable slaw and boba balls. If you want something with not quite so many flavors and textures in one dish, go with the cheeseburger steamed pods – bao buns. And who could forget dessert… there’s a chocolate cake for a really decadent taste, or a blueberry cream cheese mousse with passion fruit curd for a little lighter fruity taste.
Amanda’s description of items on the menu of Satu’li Canteen are making my mouth water. This is a great place to eat amongst an environment that looks like a makeshift space originated by the RDA (Resources Development Administration) with artifacts from the Na’vi. If you have no idea what I am talking about, let me explain that this restaurant is in Pandora which is based on James Cameron’s movie Avatar.
Origins of Words
I love to look at the origins of words, so I would encourage people to look up the various meanings of Satu. For instance, in Finland, the word means fairy tale. Could this canteen be named in a way to remind guests that this is all a fantastical story? James Cameron actually said that the World of Avatar in Pandora, Animal Kingdom is “like dreaming with your eyes wide open”. We certainly do feel like the menu items at Satu’li Canteen are a culinary story full of vivid colors and unique tastes.
S.A.T.U. is also used as an acronym for things like Statistics and Analysis of Trade Unit in the UK, Special Anti-Terrorist Unit in the Philippines, and Singapore Association of Trade Unions in Singapore. Students and families can analyze similarities in the acronyms with the story of Avatar or see if your friends and family can come up with a plausible acronym for the canteen using S.A.T.U. Make sure to use the Pandora backstory to support your answer.
Classroom Hack
My classroom hack for this one might surprise you. There is a strong emphasis in storytelling throughout the parks even using the culinary arts. Since most of us don’t have a full kitchen in our classroom, let alone our school, it would be fun to have students write a recipe for a menu item that will be featured at Satu’li Canteen. They will need to read the back story to understand the cultural influences and history of attempts to colonize the fictional land. Instead of cooking or baking the item, they must design a virtual display for guests to see what the menu item looks like to entice guests to order their special item off of the menu.
The virtual representation can either be created on a computer using a graphic design program or designed by hand using pencil, paint, or markers on paper, or even piecing together papercuts or molding clay.
Whatever your students do to create a representation of a food item at Satu’li Canteen, I know that it will look delicious. Keep in mind, the culinary arts have a major presentation component so that we are enticed to eat it.
I have enjoyed writing this 5-part series using our senses in Walt Disney World.
In fact, it was so well received that I have decided to write one more. Next week, we will look at the sixth sense in Walt Disney World. So be sure to HURRY BACK! 😉
See You Real Soon,
Erin
The Happy Teacher Conference
Don't Miss Out! Registration Deadline is 9/6
