Description Long

The Lemon Method uses a simple lemon as a tool to stimulate the senses and foster creativity. Why lemons? Because they’re an excellent way to engage all five senses. Engaging every sense is a principle rooted in experiential education. By doing so, existing associations are disrupted and expanded – enhancing perception and stimulating creative thinking.

Preparation

• You will need one worksheet, one cotton bag, one organic lemon, and one spoon per participant. In addition, one or more graters will be required.
• Before the workshop, prepare a worksheet containing five theme-related guiding questions – each corresponding to one of the five senses. For example: What does the educational landscape of 2030 smell like?

Execution

After each of the five sensory experiences, the corresponding question or task on the worksheet is answered or completed.

1. The lemons are handed out to each participant inside the cotton bag.
2. The exercise begins with touch: each person reaches into the cotton bag and feels the lemon.
3. Next is sight: each participant is invited to examine the lemon closely.
4. Once sight is complete, you move on to hearing: participants listen to the sound of the lemon being grated using a grater.
5. After answering the hearing-related question or completing the task, participants can immediately proceed to smell.
6. And finally, taste: each person uses their own spoon to taste the lemon.

Once all questions or tasks have been completed, the results are presented in the plenary using a method of your choice or one appropriate for the group size.

Hints from experience

• Valuing food – please ensure that the lemons are later used for culinary enjoyment as well!

Tools list

• duct tape
• Paper and pencil
• Pinboard
• Worksheets, prepared

References

(C) Copyright by Katharina E. Kossmann