The Little Red Hen

We spent reading time this afternoon reading one of our all time favourites "The Little Red Hen." We then had great fun acting out the story with some masks and later on with a set of hand puppets. Master 4 suggested that we could actually make our own bread and ALL help unlike the characters in the story!

For young children, the realities of life are those within their own spheres of experience. By presenting children with lessons which are not only verbal but include a multiplicity of sensory experiences, we can amplify children's understanding and enjoyment of a concept. I have always wanted to make bread with the boys but have been a bit daunted by the process, so when I came across this easy bread recipe, I thought....why not. We put on our aprons and got kneading, making a loaf of homemade whole wheat bread.Whilst the whole family ate the bread and it was really quite nice I am not so sure anyone would actually pay for it!

Ingredients

2 Tsp. honey
2 2/3 Cup lukewarm water
4 Tsp. dry yeast
3 Tbsp. Molasses
5 Cups whole wheat flour
1/2 Tsp. salt
1/4 Cup wheat germ
1 Tbsp. Oatmeal (optional)

Method

1. Preheat oven to 400 Degrees F.


2. Stir 2 teaspoons honey into 2/3 cup lukewarm water.


3. Sprinkle yeast over the mixture. Set aside for 10 minutes.


4. Combine 3 tablespoons molasses with 2/3 cup warm water and combine with yeast mixture.


5. Stir into flour. Add salt, wheat germ and 1 1/3 cups warm water. Dough will be sticky.


6. Pour dough into a non-stick loaf pan.


7. Smooth top with wet spatula.


8. Sprinkle Oatmeal over top of loaf, if desired.


9. Allow to raise to top of pan.


10. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes.


11. Cool 10 minutes on a rack, then turn out of pan.


12. Cool before slicing.


13. ENJOY!

Baking bread is a great way to teach a science lesson, while having fun in the kitchen!