⁣Lesson Plan: ⁣6 Baking Recipes to Practice While Social Distancing - Delicious Treats to Enjoy at Home!

⁣Lesson Plan: ⁣6 Baking Recipes to Practice While Social Distancing - Delicious Treats to Enjoy at Home!
Grade Levels: 6-8

Objective:
- To introduce middle school students to the art of baking and provide them with six beginner-friendly recipes to practice while social distancing.
- To develop students' baking skills, creativity, and ability to follow step-by-step instructions.
- To encourage students to explore different flavors and techniques in baking.

Common Core Standards:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.7: Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.

Materials:
- Ingredients for each baking recipe (e.g., flour, sugar, eggs, butter, baking powder, chocolate chips)
- Baking utensils (mixing bowls, measuring cups/spoons, baking pans, whisk, spatula)
- Optional: Visual aids or videos demonstrating baking techniques

Procedure:

1. Introduction (10 minutes)
- Begin the lesson by discussing the popularity of baking during social distancing and its therapeutic benefits.
- Engage students in a discussion about their favorite baked goods and any experiences they have had with baking.

2. Baking Safety and Hygiene (10 minutes)
- Review basic baking safety practices with students, including proper handwashing, ingredient handling, and cleanliness in the kitchen.
- Explain the importance of accurately measuring ingredients and following recipe instructions.

3. Baking Recipe 1: Chocolate Chip Cookies (20 minutes)
- Provide students with the ingredients and demonstrate the process of making chocolate chip cookies:
- Cream butter and sugar together, then add eggs and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, then fold in chocolate chips.
- Scoop dough onto a baking sheet and bake until golden brown.
- Allow students to practice making their own chocolate chip cookies in pairs or small groups.

4. Baking Recipe 2: Banana Bread (20 minutes)
- Provide students with ripe bananas, flour, sugar, eggs, butter, baking soda, and vanilla extract.
- Demonstrate the process of making banana bread:
- Mash bananas with a fork and mix with melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, mix flour and baking soda.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture.
- Pour the batter into a loaf pan and bake until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow students to practice making their own banana bread with optional additions like nuts or chocolate chips.

5. Baking Recipe 3: Vanilla Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting (20 minutes)
- Provide students with flour, sugar, eggs, milk, butter, baking powder, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, and food coloring (optional).
- Demonstrate the process of making vanilla cupcakes with buttercream frosting:
- Cream butter and sugar together, then add eggs and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, mix flour and baking powder, then gradually add it to the wet mixture along with milk.
- Pour the batter into cupcake liners and bake until a toothpick comes out clean.
- In another bowl, beat softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract to make the frosting.
- Allow students to practice making their own cupcakes and decorate them with buttercream frosting.

6. Baking Recipe 4: Apple Cinnamon Muffins (20 minutes)
- Provide students with flour, sugar, eggs, milk, butter, baking powder, cinnamon, apples, and optional toppings like oats or nuts.
- Demonstrate the process of making apple cinnamon muffins:
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon.
- In another bowl, beat eggs, melted butter, and milk, then add chopped apples.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
- Scoop batter into muffin cups and sprinkle with optional toppings.
- Allow students to practice making their own apple cinnamon muffins.

7. Baking Recipe 5: Chocolate Brownies (20 minutes)
- Provide students with flour, sugar, eggs, butter, cocoa powder, baking powder, and chocolate chips.
- Demonstrate the process of making chocolate brownies:
- Melt butter and mix with sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder, then gradually add it to the wet mixture.
- Fold in chocolate chips and pour the batter into a baking pan.
- Bake until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs.
- Allow students to practice making their own chocolate brownies.

8. Baking Recipe 6: Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (20 minutes)
- Provide students with oats, flour, sugar, eggs, butter, baking soda, cinnamon, raisins, and optional additions like nuts or chocolate chips.
- Demonstrate the process of making oatmeal raisin cookies:
- Cream butter and sugar together, then add eggs and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, mix flour, oats, baking soda, and cinnamon.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, then fold in raisins.
- Scoop dough onto a baking sheet and bake until golden brown.
- Allow students to practice making their own oatmeal raisin cookies.

9. Presentation and Tasting (20 minutes)
- Allow students to present their baked goods to the class, explaining the recipe they followed and any additional variations or decorations they added.
- Encourage students to taste different treats and share their thoughts on the flavors and textures.

10. Reflection and Writing Activity (20 minutes)
- Engage students in a reflection activity, asking questions like "What did you learn about baking through this experience?" and "Which recipe was the most enjoyable to make and why?"
- Assign a written informative/explanatory text where students describe the six baking recipes, including ingredients, preparation steps, and their personal experiences.

Common Core Labels Correlations:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.7
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.2

We’re mindful of how the current coronavirus outbreak might be affecting your access to stores and general grocery items. Please know that many of these videos were filmed before the outbreak and additional new videos filmed by our producers, working safely from their homes, may look and feel different than what you're accustomed to. We don't expect you to make all of our recipes now, but we hope you’ll find it a joyful distraction that’s entertaining, inspiring, and worth saving for a future food challenge or meal shared with friends.Credits: https://www.buzzfeed.com/bfmp/videos/102930GET MORE BUZZFEED:https://www.buzzfeed.comhttps:....//www.buzzfeed.com/v official YouTube channel for Tasty recipe content.Connect with Tasty:Shop the NEW Tasty Merch: https://bzfd.it/shoptastyyoutubeSubscribe to Tasty Newsletters: https://bzfd.it/2SC4h0SLike us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/buzzfeedtastyFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buzzfeedtasty/Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/tastyCheck out our website: https://www.tasty.co/Shop the Tasty Kitchenware line: https://t.co/0dPSuobra7MUSICLicensed via Audio Network