The First Lab - Stove Top Popcorn!

Finished Product!

I always hear FACS teacher asking each other - “What foods labs do you do with your kids first?” For me the answer is homemade stove-top popcorn! This is a great starting point to see just where my kids are at! I have them make a batch of buttered (optional though none choose to eat it plain) and then one batch that they turn into caramel corn.

This is the only lab I do a full demo for. (in 7th and 8th grade FACS I do demos for each lab) This is my 9th-12th grade foods class, the only one I offer, though I do teach a foods section to ALL my 7th and 8th graders so with any luck the majority of these kids have already seen me fumble my way though a few food demonstrations. I don’t know about you cats but this is the funniest part of my job. At this point I think if I have not made the biggest mess of my FACS kitchen while demonstrating I am doing something wrong!! Hahaha anyhow…I demonstrate one day how to make both popcorns! (This year I forgot to turn a burner on, that was REALLY funny…for them, not me)

My "Shopper Counter"

On lab day I expect the kids to manage their time, go though all the basic procedures of a foods lab, and NOT burn their popcorn. I expect them to set the bar high so the rest of the semester goes smoothly. I am SUPER hard on them about the littles things think leaving cabinet doors open, hand washing, etc. etc,  and I have found that this is the best possible way to make a successful semester of cooking! I write tons of comments on their graded lab plans, because have found this is the only graded one they spend any amount of time actually looking at. 

Here is my what my lab plan looks like: LAB PLAN

I typically have them fill out the front side the day before the lab, and the back as they work through the lab and grade themselves (this helps so much, kids can be really honest when asked for their opinion!) I also REALLY love the “Shopper List” here my kids write what they need so they can really easily get what foods they need for each lab!

Samples to be graded!

I require them to bring me a couple kernels of each of their batches of popcorn to be sampled. For the most part this is not totally necessary - I can usually tell by looking how they did not this lab, BUT it again sets a standard for when I do expect them to submit samples, this way they ask me if its needed instead of me telling them what to do. 

I am SUPER honest with food sampling - if something does not taste right I am not afraid to spit it out in front of them - this too I feel helps set the bar for expectations.

Overall the kids really like the lab - there is rarely any leftovers or food thrown out - if anything they ask for bowls, or baggies to share with their pals! It is also an easy lab for them to feel instant success in the kitchen and there is plenty of time to start over if they burn a batch! AND its cheap!!
Popcorn Recipes!

Making Carmel Corn in the paper bag!