These are all things that claim today, March 18, 2020:
- National Awkward Moments Day
- National Biodiesel Day
- National Lacy Oatmeal Cookie Day
- National SBDC Day
- National Sloppy Joe Day
- National Supreme Sacrifice Day
- National Kick Butts Day – Changes Annually
National Awkward Moments Day...don't even get me started! Ha!
Today I've decided we will embrace and celebrate National Lacy Oatmeal Cookie Day. Growing up, we had a stand-in grandma (ours lived 1200 miles away) who made the most delicious cookies. Lacy oatmeal cookies. Yum! I have her recipe, but today we're trying a simplified and quick version. But first...here's my lesson plan for the day!
1. Build some cookie excitement with a book, Mmm, Cookies! I happen to have this book in my home library, but if you don't there is a decent reading on YouTube. (Ask appropriate questions after the book. Picture books are good for all elementary ages, not just little bitties. Even kids who are fluent readers can benefit from reading picture books.)
2. Discuss the history of cookies. This website has lots of information, but it's pretty dry for most kids. I recommend pre-reading and picking out some interesting facts to share. Grab a map to show cookies migrated from Persia to England to the United States. Dates and geography can be pretty abstract concepts for younger kids, but my kids have always loved to look on the globe to see relative distances.
3. The website has a list of some of the world's most popular cookies. Make your own list of family favorites with your kids. Post on Facebook or text family and friends to find out what kind of cookies they like. Make predictions and write them down.
3. The website has a list of some of the world's most popular cookies. Make your own list of family favorites with your kids. Post on Facebook or text family and friends to find out what kind of cookies they like. Make predictions and write them down.
4. While you're waiting for data to roll in, make some lacy oatmeal cookies. If you don't have all of the ingredients, choose another type of cookie to make. Not a baker? Maybe you have some cookies in the cabinet ready for snack time. (This recipe seems pretty easy and forgiving.) Baking is a great educational opportunity. Not only will your kids learn kitchen skills, but following a recipe is reading & math, and the baking process is science!
5. Cookies are in the oven, now it's time to discuss your data. Make a graph (pie or bar graph would work best with this type of data). You can even use post it notes to make it big on the kitchen table. Or practice making tally marks and counting by 5. Ask your kiddo questions appropriate for their age (How many more? How many total liked chocolate chip and peanut butter? Were our predictions correct?). *If your kids are older, give them the data and ask them to create a way to present it effectively. Then, have them write a few sentences about their graph.
6. Younger kids? Get some play dough out and let them make cookies while theirs are in the oven. If you have craft supplies, encourage them to add sprinkles and icing, decorations, etc. (pipe cleaners, pom pom balls, sequins, beads, etc)
7. Taste test your cookies! When my family traveled to Hershey, PA a couple years ago, we did the chocolate taste test. There, we learned that you *taste* with all five senses. So pick up your cookie. Use adjectives to talk about the texture. Now look at your cookie. Does it look yummy? Color? Shape? Smell your cookie. Mmm! Before you taste, put your cookie by your ear and snap it in half. Is it crunchy or soft? Crisp? What other words can you use to describe the cookie? And, best for last, time to taste! YUM!
8. (Ack! I came back to add this in). At the end of our school time, we like to journal about our day. Today's journal entry: Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?
I am certified to teach PK-8, but specialized in early childhood. Many of these steps are geared toward younger kids, but I will adapt my questions and expectations to my 4th grader's level so she can enjoy this fun day, too!
Whatever you're doing, make sure your kids are having fun. This is such a confusing and stressful time for adults, which means the kids are feeling it and don't always know how to express that. Providing some fun activities will create happy memories of an otherwise difficult time.
And wash your hands!
6. Younger kids? Get some play dough out and let them make cookies while theirs are in the oven. If you have craft supplies, encourage them to add sprinkles and icing, decorations, etc. (pipe cleaners, pom pom balls, sequins, beads, etc)
7. Taste test your cookies! When my family traveled to Hershey, PA a couple years ago, we did the chocolate taste test. There, we learned that you *taste* with all five senses. So pick up your cookie. Use adjectives to talk about the texture. Now look at your cookie. Does it look yummy? Color? Shape? Smell your cookie. Mmm! Before you taste, put your cookie by your ear and snap it in half. Is it crunchy or soft? Crisp? What other words can you use to describe the cookie? And, best for last, time to taste! YUM!
8. (Ack! I came back to add this in). At the end of our school time, we like to journal about our day. Today's journal entry: Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?
I am certified to teach PK-8, but specialized in early childhood. Many of these steps are geared toward younger kids, but I will adapt my questions and expectations to my 4th grader's level so she can enjoy this fun day, too!
Whatever you're doing, make sure your kids are having fun. This is such a confusing and stressful time for adults, which means the kids are feeling it and don't always know how to express that. Providing some fun activities will create happy memories of an otherwise difficult time.
And wash your hands!
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