Design and Technology - Summer Term
Date: 22nd Jul 2021 @ 11:11am
There has been a certain buzz around school over the last week or two. Dough being kneaded, ingredients being mixed, fruit and vegetables being blended, and biscuits being baked. Once again, Design and Technology is flourishing at Wardley. Teachers and children have researched, designed and created some delicious foods; building on the skills that they were mastering previously.
The children have worked brilliantly together; helping each other with their Food Technology skills such as designing and making, mastering practical skills and taking inspiration from history and designers.
Year 1 produced some ‘Super Smoothies’. They peeled and chopped fresh fruit and vegetables like avocados (Miss H is so posh) and blended them to create delicious healthy drinks…or are smoothies a meal? The children have loved making healthy smoothies and learning the difference between a fruit and vegetable (fruits generally have seeds) and where they grow (vegetables above and below the ground and fruits on tress and on vines). There are several health centres and spas who have orders in for this ‘superjuice’ and several of our children will be making and delivering them through the summer. On a part-time basis of course.
Year 2 designed and constructed ‘Healthy Sandwiches’ by preparing and assembling ingredients safely and hygienically. They followed their own imaginative recipe and tucked into their creations with great gusto. They enjoyed their sandwiches during their picnic - what a wonderful end to the half term. I also believe they are in the process of opening their own sandwich shop in Swinton so be sure to pay a visit.
Year 3 focussed on ‘Rockin’ Rocky Roads’. They created wonderful combinations of marshmallows, biscuits, chocolate cereal, sultanas and a few secret ingredients of their own that we are not allowed to divulge. We were terribly disappointed we could not all take them home but the cleaning of bowls and spoons and the amount of chocolate around their mouth suggested they were amazing.
Year 4 designed, made and evaluated ‘Fantastic Flapjacks’. They looked at the history of the flapjack and took traditional new recipes into the 21st Century, adding their own ingredients to the old recipe. The photographs show what a fantastic time they all had. What a wonderful end to the year. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to taste a single one, so I won’t be speaking to any of them from now on.
Year 5 used a range of practical skills to bake ‘Chilli Cookies’. They took inspiration from designs from the Mayan civilisation, creating some good links to History, their previous DT and their Art project. The children made the cookie dough in school and, with help from kind parents and carers, baked them at home. Again, I didn’t receive a single one to sample so will not be engaging with any of those children next year either. They will also be hoping that the world doesn’t end today (Mayan joke) so they can make them again.
Year 6 made some ‘Beautiful Bread’ inspired by their history topic of The Ancient Greeks. The children decided to use their favourite teacher (children’s words, not mine) as their target consumer. And I was more than happy to oblige. They generated some market research first, to gauge an understanding of the flavours I enjoyed and then designed, prepared and made their own breads, baking them at home and sharing their creations the very next day. It was an absolute pleasure to sample the breads. The flavours were delicious; rosemary, salt, olives, tomatoes, bananas and even garlic pepper. Paul Hollywood has been in touch several times looking for inspiring young artisan bakers. I dropped a few names, and he promises he will be in touch.
From my point of view, I thought the children, teachers and parents were superb. A real team effort. Food Technology was a big hit and it seemed everyone thoroughly enjoyed the challenge.
I have attached some photographs from each class to show the design process and their amazing final products.
Thank you to all the children, parents, carers and staff for making Food Technology a complete success at Wardley.
Mr A Tinkler (Design and Technology Subject Leader)
