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Writer's pictureSproutEd Team

Friday Fun: Real Bread Week



Friday Fun last week introduced Darwin Day and we just KNOW that this got you delving into all things science (another one of our favourite things!). This week you can continue your scientific fun by doing some hands-on science in the kitchen!


Real Bread Week starts this Saturday (so you've got loads of time to get prepared for some tasty fun!) and it is a celebration of realbread - the kind that has been made without any processing aids or other additives. So whether you're heading out to buy some real bread, tour a real bread bakery, grabbing some ingredients and making your own, or just savouring a tasty real bread sandwich in your favourite picnic spot - it's all part of Real Bread Week; so dive into Friday Fun; learn, play and grow!




What is Real Bread Week?


I don't know about you but for me, there is nothing more satisfying than sitting down to eat a delicious piece of homemade bread (not to mention the gorgeous aroma wafting through the house while it bakes!).


Bread is one of those things that we don't think too much about, we pop it in the toaster or drop sangas into lunchboxes every morning but how often do we think about where our bread comes from? Or what's in it?


Real Bread Week is all about encouraging and helping people to bake their own real, fresh bread in their kitchens at home AND encouraging people to purchase real bread from independent and local bakeries.


Real Bread Week is a worldwide, yearly celebration of real bread and the individuals who make it! It was first launched by the Real Bread Campaign in 2010 and now it's part of a larger organisation called Sustain: the Alliance for Better Food and Farming (a charity that focuses on championing better practices and policies in the food and agriculture industries to improve the health and welfare of people, animals, and the Earth).



What's real bread you ask?


Well, it's any type of bread that's been made without the use of processing aids or additives (e.g. no xanthan gum, ascorbic acid, chemical leavening, baking powder, or other added enzymes and chemicals found in breads). It also means any type of additive-free bread; including pita, porotta, paratha, tortilla, oatcakes, roti, stottie cakes, bagels, baps, baguettes, wraps and almost any other kind of bread you can think of!





How to Celebrate Real Bread Week!


Real Bread Week is all about learning about and creating sustainable food practices (very tasty ones!😉) and supporting organisations that advocate for better practices and policies in the food and agriculture industries. This not only supports the development of historical and scientific understanding through the act of actually making bread but teaches the skills needed to be informed and active citizens (ironically, something the Australian Curriculum aims for too! So, if you’re looking to align – here’s a fun way to do that!).


Not only is Real Bread Week a great way to tick curriculum boxes in a fun way, it is a fantastic reason to get out and about in our world and become explorers - connecting with organisations, bakers, farmers and others who love bread! You can take your learning out into the real-world and have hands-on learning experiences that will sit in your children's hearts for life - fueling their love of learning (and bread😂)!


Use this special week as a springboard for new units, reasons to get out into the community to explore and connect with family and friends (perhaps over a special meal, or even in the kitchen beforehand!), and dot some fun through your days (and your history and science lessons - who doesn't love quirky facts and exploring 'old' ways of doing things!).




What Are We Doing?


READ


This mouth-watering story captures the step-by-step process and delicious aromas, sensations, sights and sounds of bread-making by taking readers on an adventure with Iris and her Aunt Mary (a plant scientist that wants to experiment with making sourdough bread from scratch!).


This fun picture book dives into the science behind bread making without feeling to heavy and is just as much fun for older kids as younger ones!



Pamela Allen stories are always super fun to read and even though this story doesn't give us a whole heap of deep learning, it sure is a hoot to see what Mr McGee is up to this time!


This is going to be a fantastic lead-in for the little ones to learn all about bread!



A gorgeous collection of recipes that are easy to follow and really put an emphasis on real bread making - using the best possible ingredients and traditional hands-on methods.


There are loads of regular breads to choose from and specialty breads too - so I think this is going to be one of our go-to books for bread recipes!



EXPLORE


We'll be exploring the science behind bread - what makes dough rise, how different types and quantities of ingredients react with each other...




And we might even look into the history of breadmaking too; we're curious to know how bread became so common, how someone even thought up the concept, and how the diversity of breads now available came to be.






The little ones (and to be honest, us 'big kids' too) want to know more about how bread is made in a 'factory' setting and how that differs from artisanal bread.

Who would have thought that bread would lead down such an interesting rabbit hole!





CREATE


First on our list is Bread in a Bag - this relatively mess-free fun is fabulous for kids of all ages and is a great way to see that science in action!


Not only are there heaps of opportunities for 'on-the-job' learning here - but you end up with some delicious treats at the end! Win-win!


Scroll down to our FREEBIES section to get your copy of Bread in a Bag!



Next, Rainbow Bread Painting (sometimes called Unicorn Bread or Toast). The kids can use their freshly made bread, or some we already have in our kitchen to create colourful, edible artworks using 'edible paint'!


Technically this will deviate away from the real bread concept by adding stuff to it, but we just couldn't resist - it is too cute (and looks like loads of fun!).


Learn how to make the edible paint and rainbow bread right here!




Lastly, we really wanted some more creative fun, especially for the little ones - so we've planned a couple of special things that will have them working on their fine motor skills and strength, coordination, and creativity - while also helping them to make healthy food choices.

  1. Playdough Bread-making (where they can continue practicing their breadmaking skills, while making colourful and creative breads, bagels, donuts and more - all while exercising & strengthening those little fingers, hands and arms!) You can grab our FREE No Fail Playdough Recipe here!

  2. Let's Make a Sandwich Sing & Play (where we print out all the sandwich ingredients, cut them out and then play a fun game with them).





Some Extra Resources to Check Out!



The Great Bake Off

This Twinkl Design Technologies resource is an interesting way to get kids thinking and creating! Find the unit pack here!



Books About Bread

A great list of picture books about bread - some of these books have fabulous read-alouds online so you don't even need to purchase the books to enjoy them! Grab the list here!



Real Bread Week Site

Visit the official Real Bread Week website for more great resources and ideas (including loads of recipes for cool breads)! Find it here!






FREEBIES!






Want to get into the kitchen with the kids and make Bread in a Bag? Then download our free instructions to start the baking fun!










Want to get stuck into loads of creative fun and exercise those little fingers and arms? Why not download our FREE No Fail Playdough Recipe!










We hope that this has given you lots of fun ways to celebrate Real Bread Week and get creative and hands-on with science and food! Friday Fun at The Hub is all about connecting homeschoolers with fun learning experiences that enrich every homeschool; and providing families with fabulous freebies to support learning, playing and growing at home!






If you've got some suggestions for other great ideas or would like to share your adventures, please visit our private group on Facebook - Little Sprouts Homeschooling and join a community of homeschoolers just like you!




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