Student Description:

Between 15-20 beginning students at proficiency levels between 2-3. Their ages range from 14-17, and they are ESL students in a local high school. They come from a variety of backgrounds, including Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Japan, and Israel.

Objective:

By the end of this unit, students will be able to read a simple recipe and follow the directions on simple boxed foods.

Materials needed:

• Access to ovens/home ec room (and permission to use them)
• Assorted boxed foods (at least four varieties of brownies, Mac and cheese, etc.)
• Ingredients for chocolate chip cookies
• Mixer, wooden spoons, measuring cups and spoons, bowls, cookie sheets, Pam, etc.
• Pictures of the ad. Ingredients needed for boxed foods (milk, butter, etc.)
• overhead projector
• between 3-4 recipes written on different transparencies
• Pictures of final products of recipes
• instructions for making chocolate chip cookies, split into segments

Review past lesson and vocabulary. Introduce new vocabulary. These will both include cooking terms and cooking items.

1. Put first transparency on overhead projector. Ask students what it is. Is it a story? A list? When they decide it's a recipe, have them guess what it will make. Read the recipe together (chorally).

Explain any unfamiliar words or abbreviations. Show examples of 1 c., 1 tbs. etc. Show students picture of final product.

2. Pass out boxed foods. Have at least four different types of food. Put the students in pairs. Student A will read the recipe on the back of the box, and direct Student B to go to the front of the room and get the needed additional ingredients and utensils. (For example, for a macaroni and cheese box, Student B would bring back a picture of butter, a picture of milk, a 1/3 cup measurement and a tablespoon.) When all the students in the class have completed it successfully, have students switch boxes and Student B will read the recipe from a different box and Student A will bring back the supplies.)

3. Group Activity: Ask students if they're hungry. Give each student numbered instructions for chocolate chip cookies. As number one reads the action out loud, the other students will perform the action. (Example: #1 Go wash your hands. #2 Grease baking sheets, etc.) Give each student a chance to be a part of the action. Allow the students to figure out as much as thy can on their own.

4. While cookies are in the oven, review the new vocabulary. Explain anything they didn't understand or you realized they were having problems with. This is a good time for questions. If it goes well, you can introduce some more new vocabulary that's a little more complicated, and explain the grammar of commands.

5. Have individual students read recipes from overhead. Have them come up to the front of the class and show the class which ingredients are needed for the recipe. Also have them show actions (stir, beat, fold, etc.)

6. Eat cookies and drink milk. What a great class!

Homework: Ask students to bring to class a copy of their favorite recipe from home in English. The class will copy and bind them and have a class cookbook that everyone can take home.

Alternate plans:

In case of anything going awry, substitute a lesson about American culture and how it relates to food. In case students completely ruin cookies (by burning them or whatever), have Oreos or some other pre-made cookie on hand. (Otherwise, students will revolt, or at least be very disappointed and sullen. Never promise food to teenagers and back out.)

Assessment:

Informal. Will take place throughout various activities as you observe their progress. Speed up or slow down lesson according to understanding of students.