Beach Plum Jelly

One of the many traditions that has developed over time at Woodside School is that of making beach plum jelly. We are fortunate to have beach plum trees thriving on our playground. The process is not complicated yet there are many steps and much learning that takes place as the children work together to create this delicacy for their families and all the classes at Woodside.

First the children learn about beach plums.

Each child is given a collection basket.

Final instructions are given before the harvesting begins.

Once the plums are harvested the work begins. The plums must be picked over removing stems, leaves and twigs and then checked for any imperfections. After careful inspection they are washed, mashed and cooked on the stove.

Next the plums are boiled and then transferred into a cheesecloth lined sieve to drain over night.

It is through this process that the juice, necessary to make the jelly, is extracted from the plums.

Sugar is added to the juice and it is returned to the stove.

Next the jelly mixture is poured into prepared jars to set up.

In the classroom the children used watercolors to paint decorative lid covers. They also worked carefully on labels for their jelly. Notes were written to the other classes as the children prepared to present their gifts to the younger children at Woodside School.