Newsletter Articles
2nd Science Column from the Science
Co-Explorer TEAM
Did you know that when you prepare food you
are participating in science? Any time you boil, bake, or
freeze food, you are not only a cook, but a scientist as
well. Cooking in the classroom can be a wonderful activity
for incorporating science, math, and literacy.
Science:
Ask the children to examine the way the
individual ingredients feel, smell, look,
sound, and taste (if appropriate).
What do they think will happen when the ingredients are
mixed together?
How did/will the food change after we cook it? Talk about
adding heat and the
changes that occur.
Discuss measurements and have the children
help you measure the amounts of
each ingredient.
Measuring instruments (such as spoons and cups) are great
additions to the water or sand table. The children could
observe which measure holds the biggest amount-the smallest,
etc.
Make a list depicting what children like to spread on their
cornbread. Then a grid can be made to show the favorite.
The day before you make the corn bread,
have some for a snack and then ask,
during a meeting, "How and what is corn bread made
out of?" List their
answers. Title it recipe for cornbread.
Create your own classroom recipe books.
Write an experience story about the cooking activity.
Have the children bring in recipes from home.
The trick is finding a simple recipe that the group/class
will be anxious to eat!
One recipe we've found to be a sure hit is
CORNBREAD. Since
most children are familiar with corn on the cob, cornflakes,
or popcorn, corn is a food within their realm of experience.
You might want to talk about corn with them. What do they
know about corn? What does a corn plant look like? What
are the parts of a corn plant? Can you grow corn? Where
can you buy corn?
The next time you are in the grocery store,
you might want to find corn chips, corn tortillas, corn
soup, and canned - fresh - or frozen corn. Talk about the
various possibilities with your children.
Then you can make cornbread together. The
recipe is on the box of Jiffy corn muffin mix or on container
of cornmeal. All you need to add is 1/3 cup of milk, an
egg and mix! Rest the mix for 3 or 4 minutes, then bake
15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
You and your children will enjoy the process
and the finished product!
Books about corn that you may want to read
include:
The Popcorn Book
by Tomie dePaola
Corn is Maize: The Gift
of the Indians by Aliki
Science Linkages
in the Community
657 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14607
256-3170
|
Rochester Association for the
Education of Young Children
249 Highland Avenue - Rochester, NY 14620
Phone: (585) 244-3380 - Fax: (585) 244-3482
