It’s not often a class assignment earns more than a grade.
This week, fifth-graders in Janice Hums’ class at Welch Elementary School in Naperville lunched on three types of pasta and several varieties of salad, all the result of a classmate’s restaurant review catching the eye of the establishment’s general manager.
Learning how to write a persuasive paper is a traditional part of the fifth-grade curriculum, and for the last few years Hums has had her students practice the skill by penning a review of their favorite restaurant.
As with any paper, students were to cite reasons to support their claim and to back up those statements with facts, she said.
“It’s easy for students because they don’t have to do any research. They already know why they like a restaurant,” Hums said. “It’s pretty authentic writing.”
Hums said the reviewed restaurants typically are as unique as her students.
Some kids go for the inexpensive and quick – McDonald’s, Culver’s, Subway and Portillo’s – while others choose more sophisticated establishments, such as Hugo’s Frog Bar, Seasons 52, Wild Tuna and Gibson’s.
Beyond grading the assignment and sharing them on the wall outside the classroom, Hums sent copies to the restaurants cited as student favorites.
Fred Schaller, general manager of the Brio Tuscan Grille in Lombard, said he immediately took notice of Rudy Shen’s review when it came across his desk.
“I love the letter. When I read it, I knew I had to do something,” Schaller said.
“Something” was lunch for the entire class.
Rudy and his fellow students dined on pasta Alfredo with chicken, macaroni and cheese, and penne with marinara sauce. In addition, the kids were served a choice of Caesar or chopped salad.
Schaller and Rudy received multiple rounds of applause in gratitude from the fifth-graders, many of whom went back for seconds and thirds.
Rudy said he was surprised to hear the general manager liked his essay and even more surprised that he brought lunch to his school.
The 10-year-old said he’s visited the restaurant twice with his family, once for his grandmother’s birthday.
Rudy, who recalled eating ravioli during one meal, said each time he was impressed.
Schaller said his favorite parts of the letter was Rudy’s descriptions of the restaurant being “very unblemished” and how “the incalescence is very good and soothing.”
The essay also noted “the waiters are genial” and “a kids meal is $6.75 and my sister and I can share with leftovers.”
“To wrap it up, Brio is the best restaurant. I wish Brio was next door to me,” Rudy wrote.
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