Lesson Topic/Subject: Pan de los Muertos (Bread of the Dead)/Mexican Hot Chocolate
Grade: Fifth
Teacher: Holly McCarty
Approximate Time: 1 hour

Objectives:

  1. Students will identify the important role food can play in social and religious events. Knowledge.
  2. Students will explain the specific role of Pan de los Muertos to the El Dia de los Muertos celebration. Comprehension.
  3. Students will demonstrate knowledge of fractions and measurement by following a recipe for Pan de los Muertos. Application.
  4. Students will work cooperatively to prepare Pan de los Muertos and Mexican hot chocolate. Application.

Materials:

  1. the book Maria Molina and the Days of the Dead
  2. copies of the recipes of Bread of the Dead and Mexican Hot Chocolate
  3. large cookie sheets
  4. non-stick cooking spray
  5. ingredients to make Bread of the Dead:
    • flour milk
    • vegetable oil eggs
    • melted butter baking powder
    • sugar salt
    • anise extract brown sugar
    • ground cinnamon
  6. gallon jugs of milk
  7. squares of Mexican chocolate
  8. cups
  9. measuring cups
  10. sets of measuring spoons
  11. spoons
  12. large bowls
  13. small bowls
  14. napkins
  15. paper plates
  16. large pot
  17. oven mitts
  18. plastic spoons
  19. plastic pitchers

Procedures:

  1. Before beginning the lesson, preheat the kitchen oven(s) to 400 degrees. Ask the students to brainstorm what things play a big part in their family or religious celebrations (exp. music, food, decorations). (Example: What comes to mind when you think of Thanksgiving? Hanukkah? Christmas?) Ask students to recall different ways that food plays a part in their celebrations.
  2. Ask the students to recall the story that was read to them, Maria Molina and the Days of the Dead. What special food was Maria’s mother preparing? (Show pictures of bread from book). Ask students if they recall what special food is used in the celebration of El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Explain to the students what Pan de los Muertos is and its importance in the El Dia de los Muertos festival.
  3. Explain to the students that they are going to prepare their own Pan de los Muertos as a finale` to their study of El Dia de los Muertos. Along with this bread, they will also make Mexican hot chocolate. Explain to the students what Mexican Hot Chocolate is and its origins.
  4. Send students to the restroom to wash their hands before handling food. Divide the students into 6 groups of 4. Have each group of students gather around one of the tables in the classroom.
  5. Have one student from each group help pass out materials to each group. Pass out 1 copy of the recipe to Pan de los Muertos and Mexican hot chocolate to each student. Pass out 1 measuring cup, 1 set of measuring spoons, 1 small bowl, 1 large bowl, 1 spoon, and 1 cookie sheet to each group.
  6. Review with the students how to read a recipe and the steps involved in making the bread. Review the measuring utensils that will be used and how to measure ingredients.
  7. Set out the ingredients for the bread on each group’s table.
  8. Have students spray their cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
  9. Monitor the students to make sure they are measuring the ingredients correctly. Offer assistance when needed. Make sure students are working cooperatively with their group to gather and mix ingredients.
  10. After students have mixed the ingredients for the bread, have the students begin preparing the glaze. When glaze is finished, have them set it aside.
  11. Have students mold the dough either into one large round shape, or break the dough up to smaller amounts and make many different shapes. Students can make shapes such as animals, faces, angels, or skulls.
  12. Have students place their dough shapes on the greased cookie sheet.
  13. Have students sprinkle the topping mixture onto the dough shapes.
  14. Have students gather their cookie sheets with their dough creations and proceed to the kitchen.
  15. Place the bread in the pre-heated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.
  16. While the bread is baking, heat the milk in a pot on hot plate until hot.
  17. When bread is finished baking, remove the cookie sheets carefully from the oven with oven mitts. Allow students to carefully carry the finished bread up to room using the oven mitts.
  18. When back in the room, have each student pick up 1 plate, 1 plastic spoon, 1 cup, 1 square of hot chocolate, and 1 napkin and sit in their seats.
  19. Pour the hot milk into each student’s cup. Have students stir the milk until all the hot chocolate is dissolved.
  20. Have one student from each of the groups serve the bread to the other members of the group.
  21. Enjoy the Pan de los Muertos and Mexican hot chocolate! While eating, have students recall the importance of Pan de los Muertos to the Day of the Dead ceremony.

Evaluation of Student Learning:

  1. Did the students successfully identify the important role food plays in various social and religious festivities in their culture?
  2. Did the students successfully explain the specific role Pan de los Muertos plays in El Dia de los Muertos?
  3. Did the students demonstrate correct knowledge of fractions and measurements by successfully following the recipe of Pan de los Muertos?
  4. Did the students work cooperatively to correctly prepare Pan de los Muertos and Mexican hot chocolate?

Reflection:

  1. How prepared was I for this lesson?
  2. Were my materials on hand and organized?
  3. How effective was I in explaining directions and requirements of the students?
  4. How effective was I in demonstrating the importance of Pan de los Muertos to the Day of the Dead ceremony?
  5. Was I successful at keeping the students under control and using the materials and ingredients properly?
  6. Was I able to adapt the lesson the students pace, understanding, and questions?
  7. Did I provide appropriate assistance when needed?
  8. Should I have divided the students into fewer, larger groups to prepare the recipes?
  9. Was the lesson engaging and enjoyable for the students?
  10. Overall, how did the lesson go?

Sources:

Pan de los Muertos

"Bread of the Dead"

 

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Grease a large cookie sheet.
  3. Mix the following ingredients in a large bowl until smooth:
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • 2 tablespoons sugar
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1 egg
    • 2/3 cup milk
    • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
    • 10 drops anise extract ( a flavor something like licorice)
  4. Mold dough into one large round shape with a raised knob in the middle, or break the dough into smaller amounts and make many round shapes. You can also mold the dough into shapes of animals, faces, skulls, or angels. Place the dough on the cookie sheet.
  5. In a smaller bowl, mix these ingredients for the topping:
    • 1/4 cup brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1 tablespoon melted butter
  6. Sprinkle the topping on the dough.
  7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
  8. Serve warm.

Mexican Hot Chocolate

The people of Mexico have been drinking hot chocolate since the days of the ancient Aztecs. If you make some, it may help you capture the flavor of a Mexican fiesta.

In a large supermarket or specialty store, you can find Mexican chocolate already sweetened and flavored with cinnamon. Heat cup of milk in microwave or on stove until hot. Put a square of chocolate in a cup of hot milk. Whip milk with spoon until chocolate is dissolved. Enjoy! Regular hot chocolate can be substituted for Mexican chocolate by adding sugar and cinnamon to taste.

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