digeridoos and you

Met for the second time with my little cooking friends last night. We met to learn about Australia and make Australian Anzac (Australian & New Zealand Army Corps) Cookies. Anzac Day in Australia sounds sneakily like Memorial Day in the U.S., anyway, that is neither here nor there. A smaller group last night, maybe due in part to a last minute date change of the event. We had about 9 kids last time and only 4 last night; 2 boys (the Einstein Bros), 2 girls.

As always I began the class by having the kids show me where Australia is on a huge map. Then I asked the kids to throw out anything they knew about Australia, which led us to comments about animals like kangaroos and koalas and a riveting discussion on marsupials. (Luckily I had done some research on these pre-class as I had a sneaky feeling they would come up). I passed around pics of said animals and also of Aboriginals and other things Australian. I also told the kids a little bit about digeridoos while we listened to some digeridoo music (which I had found on a CD in Library X earlier that day.)

Then to the baking. I watched to see if the kids remembered little things I had taught them in our first meeting and was pleased as punch to see that they had infact remembered most things. I still had to help the kids out with some measuring cup fractions, but otherwise it went well. I think the best moment was when Einstein Bros. Albert showing E.B. Neal how to take the spoon and scrape the top of the measuring cup off to ensure a good measurement.

Once the kids had finished their dry goods measurements (into their little plastic take-home baggies) we settled down to enjoy a batch of cookies that I had already made just before the kids had arrived. I have created little connoseuirs! The kids commented on how the cookies were dry like the Scottish Shortbread, but not quite! How funny! I told them that next weeks' chocolate mousse will be decidely less dry.

It was a good afternoon. While they quietly munched and snacked on cookies (let me point out that the cookies being "dry" didn't stop the kids from having 3 A PIECE!) I read two Aboriginal Folk tales: Whale's Canoe:a folk tale from Australia and The Singing Snake. (I really liked the latter).

For those who might be interested, here is the recipe I used. I got this recipe from somewhere on the internet, but can't find the url now. This is the format that I send everything home in. (Other librarians/teachers, feel free to steal my idea--just let me know how yours goes).

Tonight _________________________ successfully began the (dry goods) steps to making Australian Anzac Biscuits. They measured into their bags:

• ½ Cup Flour
• ½ tsp Baking Powder
• ½ Cup Oats
• ½ Cup Flaked Coconut (unsweetened)
• ½ Cup Sugar

What they are going to do at home (WITH PARENT SUPERVISION!) is:

• Soften ½ Cup Butter slightly
• Cream in 1 Tbsp. Maple Syrup [to softened butter] (this is done by beating the butter with an electric mixer until it is smooth)
• Add remaining ingredients
• Roll into small balls (Makes about 1 dozen)
• Cook at 350F for @ 15 minutes
• Cool before removing
• Enjoy!