Cooking Our Own Snack at Preschool!

Today was our first day of  our Pre-K Summer Workshop Series.  This is only a small part of what we did today.  This activity was part of center time,  a free choice snack option.  It wasn't required, however everyone, at some point, came over and gave "cooking" a try.  We are eating lunch together at school this week, so we didn't need a formal snack time.  The free choice option allows children to eat when they are hungry, not just when the "teacher says so"! 

I love providing the children with learning opportunities like these.  It isn't necessarily something we could do every day in the classroom, but it was just the right thing for this day.  Througouht the process children "read: a recipe, interacted with meaningful text, followed directions, exercised resposibiity, used good hygeine, shared, worked as a team, helped one antoher, used transition words, and so much more...

This is our cookbook...

The directions are written in picture and with minimal text.

The first step of our recipe is to wash your hands. Next the recipe says get a plate, napkin, and knife.

 Following a recipe is great practice in listening and following directions.  It was neat to see these kids working together, using "nice words".  I heard lots of, "Please pass the windows", "Please pass the wheels", "Thank you", "Do you need a napkin?".  Our focus today was on being a good friend, so these kind words were music to our ears.  

Next, we spread "icing" on our graham crackers.  We chose to use whipped cream, as an icing alternative, because it has less sugar and was more easily spread.  

Time for windows!

 Good fine motor practice too!

 Next, we added 2 wheels.  It was really, really  hard not to add 4 or 10 wheels, after all, the Oreos were the best part of the whole thing!  This was a good teachable moment for us.  We discussed the importance of following ALL of the directions in the recipe.

The last step in the process was to pour a glass of water and enjoy the snack!

Pouring went really well, with only one spill.  Of course we expected spills, and were prepared to deal with them.  I have learned that if we don't let the children make mistakes, they will not know how to fix them.  It would have been a lot easier to pour it for them, but who would have learned anything???  Once the spill happened, everyone jumped up to help.  It warmed my heart to see the children helping each other.  So proud of each and every one of them!