Kitchen Day
LESSON 3
Children explore the delicious Lunar New Year food traditions enjoyed by many and create a treat inspired by them.
The book "A Sweet New Year for Ren" by Michelle Sterling.
Select a recipe of your choice to make dumplings or pineapple cakes. You can find recipe ideas here or at the end of the story “A Sweet New Year for Ren.”
Ingredients and cooking tools needed for the recipe of choice. (If making pineapple cakes, you can substitute the square trays with a muffin tray, they will just be round instead of square.)
Materials
Preparations
Gather materials.
Familiarize yourself with the book “A Sweet New Year for Ren”.
Revisit the book "Lunar New Year".
Set out ingredients and cooking tools/utensils.
If making pineapple cakes, it might be helpful to prepare the dough and filling the day before.
Facilitate a discussion using comprehension questions to explore children’s understanding of the story's themes and characters.
Draw connections between "A Sweet New Year for Ren" and the previously read book, "Lunar New Year."
Provide assistance and guidance as children participate in preparing the food.
Objectives for Teachers
Children become familiarized with the book “A Sweet New Year for Ren”.
Children find similarities and differences between "A Sweet New Year for Ren" and the previously read book, "Lunar New Year."
Children enhance their practical skills as they actively participate in the preparation of a traditional Chinese treat.
Objectives for Children
Collect and Connect
Practice saying the poem “Lunar New Year” together with the actions you came up with.
Lunar New Year
Dragons, lions,
Red and gold.
In with the New Year,
Out with the old.
Banner flying,
Bands playing,
Lions prancing,
Dragon's swaying.
Fireworks crackling,
Lanterns swinging,
People laughing,
Dancing, Singing.
Activity Flow
Start by reflecting on the previous lessons, encouraging them to share any thoughts or connections they made with the Lunar New Year theme. Here are some questions you might ask:
What has been your favorite Lunar New Year tradition that we have learned about?
What has been your favorite activity so far?
2. Next, draw attention to the importance of food in any tradition. Have them think of their favorite foods during holidays and how it makes them feel to enjoy those foods during the holiday. Tell them that in this lesson they will be focusing on the special foods and treats that are enjoyed during the Lunar New Lunar Year celebrations.
3. Introduce the story "A Sweet New Year for Ren" and share that it's about a girl named Ren who loves making special treats with her family for the Lunar New Year celebration. As you read, draw connections between "A Sweet New Year for Ren" and the previously read book “Lunar New Year." Discuss similarities and differences in the cultural elements, or traditions featured in both stories.
4. Afterward, lead a discussion using comprehension questions to explore their understanding of the story's themes and characters. Here are some questions you can ask:
Why had Ren not been able to help with the Lunar New Year celebration in the past?
How was Ren feeling when some members of her family wouldn’t allow her to help?
How did Charlie show that he was patient with Ren?
How do you think Ren felt when the pineapple cakes were ready to eat?
What is Ren’s favorite part of the Lunar New Year celebration with her family?
5. Launch into the kitchen activity where children will make either pineapple cakes or dumplings. Allow the children to actively participate in the cooking process (measuring, pouring, scooping).
6. After finishing the cooking activity, invite children to share their thoughts on the process and discuss any new terms or ingredients. Ask open-ended questions like:
What was your favorite part of making food?
What part of the recipe was the most challenging for you?
What part of the recipe was the easiest for you?
What was a new taste or flavor you tried?
7. Enjoy the delicious food you made together!
