I start this unit by reading different versions of the traditional story The Gingerbread Man.

Following the stories, we make gingerbread. The process of making the gingerbread is math, language development and fine motor skill development all rolled into one. I always ask the kids what they think we will use to make the dough. The kids almost always tell me bread. My favourite answer of all time about what goes into dough is, "Don't you just buy it in a can from the store?" Next, we make the dough and we get to learn words like "molasses" and "cinnamon." The children all take part in making the dough--everyone puts in ingredients, helps count and measure, and helps to stir. When the dough is done, I give them a piece and show them how to shape it into balls and other shapes. I don't let them use cookie cutters. I want them to strengthen their hands by rolling the dough. I want them to use their imagination, and most importantly, I want them to get their hands dirty. Many kids do not like getting their hands dirty and are very worried about being dirty. After we are done shaping the cookies. I give them to a parent to cook and the cookies disappear.  Just like in the book, they jump up off the cookie sheet and run away. The children never believe me when I tell them that my gingerbread men always run away but after they find out theirs are gone they get so excited and start using their imagination. I love this part because children today have so little opportunity to let their imagination go wild.

Brian is looking for the gingerbread man on one of our hunts around the school.

Dylan has found a clue about where the gingerbread men have gone.

The gingerbread men always leave notes for us and get the kids determined to find them.