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There are not many areas in which I consider myself an expert, but chocolate is one of them! This year I am fortunate enough to be teaching for the second time “Chocolate University” at our elementary school. It’s basically an hour long course where the kids get to learn things they might not already know about chocolate and then figure out which kinds that they like. Here’s how I put it together:
Advance Preparation: First, I found a couple of pictures of cocoa beans on the Internet and some basic history. I combined this into a PowerPoint. Next, I purchased various different kinds of chocolate and cut them up. Then, my husband made a form for each person with the name of each chocolate and a rating scale. Lastly, I gathered up all different kids of chocolate items in my house (philosophy Dark Chocolate shower gel, chocolate scented candles, hot cocoa, etc.).
Chocolates used: Plain cocoa powder, white chocolate, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, peanut butter chocolate, mint chocolate, caramel filled chocolate, and fondue. Keep in mind that it took very little of each of these–essentially one bite. I cut everything up into small squares. (When doing this at my own house, I included things like hot chocolate and chocolate truffles as well).
Class time: I started off by asking them about chocolate and they told me it was sweet. I had them taste the cocoa and explained to them why it was bitter. I then showed them the pictures of the cocoa beans and explained the origins of chocolate. From there, we started with white chocolate and then worked our way from milk to dark. We ended with the flavored chocolates. For each one, we talked about how it tasted and they “rated” it on their sheet. At the end, we went back through and compared the darkest to the lightest chocolate and a few other things.
The kids always have a great time. Most do not like the dark chocolate and the fondue is usually the biggest hit. But you do get some surprises.
If you love chocolate as much as I do and are looking for something different to do with your friends or family, give a homemade Chocolate University a try. It’s great to do for a Girl Scout troupe, a school activity, or even a boring Saturday afternoon at home. If you would like the PowerPoint that I use, just contact me and let me know.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Tricia,
I intend teaching my class about the production of chocolate I really like the ideas you suggested. If you wouldn’t mind sharing your powerpoint presentation with me I would really appreciate it. Thanks, Martha
Hey, Trisha, I’m interested in your powerpoint and any other tidbits that you might have!
I just suggested this idea to Alexander’s kindergarten teacher so I want to be prepared if she wants me to come in (she’s awesome so I’m sure she’ll say yes). Thanks for the info and the idea!
Hi Rachael,
Once again today I learned that the kids love the fondue the most! The biggest problem with it is letting them dip it themselves because it is such a mess and they try to load up so much that it drips everywhere. They would be better off with the adults doing the dipping or just giving each of them one little individual serving.
We do the “educational” part first and then the tasting, so the kids are distracted the whole time I am talking by the chocolate sitting in front of them. With a smaller class, I wouldn’t even pass out the samples until after we have gotten through the presentation. I also wish that I could show one of the little YouTube videos about how chocolate is made because some of them are quick and yummy looking.
The youngest that we allow in our classes is first grade, so I’m not sure how much of it would apply to preschool. I wonder if one thing you could do would be to give them a piece of paper with a picture of a “chocolate” and let them draw in what they would fill their chocolate with. Talk about possibilities like caramel, raspberry, mint, etc. and even crazier things that people eat covered in chocolate like grasshoppers. It would keep their hands busy while also allowing you to talk about the types of chocolate. Or maybe give them a picture of store shelves and have them draw all the types of chocolate that they would put in their candy store while you talk about the different ways that chocolate comes (bars, ice cream, cake, etc).
Good luck with your venture. It sounds like a lot of fum!
Tricia
Hi Tricia,
I enjoyed reading about what you are doing! Such fun! I actually work @ the Hershey Foundation in the Chocolate Lab as an instructor. So I have been teaching many classes on chocolate for over a year now. It is always fun to see how people love chocolate. I am planning on teaching some classes at preschools (I have my first in 2 weeks) and was seaching the internet for some ideas. I still have to think of what I am going to call my “business”, and have to come up with some activities. Any advice on things that didn’t work so well.
Thanks, wishing you success
Rachael
@Rob Really the best part of the whole class is when you let them taste the cocoa powder and they expect it to taste like “chocolate” and they all make nasty faces. LOL!
Trisha,
LOL! That is funny. Teaching kids about chocolate.
Stay away from my kids: LOL!
Good article. I will get my kids to read and comment.
Rob
Rob McFaul´s last blog ..Dear Fed Up…