How Does a Coffee Machine Actually Work?

This week children explored the coffee machine at the water table to learn more about how a coffee machine works.  The children enjoyed filling measuring cups with water and dumping it into the top of the coffee machine.  The children were curious to see the water flow out in a straight stream of water.  They soon learned that if they filled the top, they could catch the water flowing out in another measuring cup.  The children worked together as one person would fill the top and the other would catch the water flowing out.  They created a cycle by using the filled measuring cup to pour back into the top of the coffee machine.

 As I observed children during this activity, some children mentioned that their moms and dads make coffee or tea at home.  I have also noticed children during other dramatic play activities imitating actions of what “mom” and “dad” do at home.  I would like to expand this idea of roles in restaurants to roles of family members at home when preparing and eating food.  Who makes food at home? What do you like to eat at home? Where do you eat dinner at home? How is eating at home different than eating at school?