I am so excited to begin incorporating parent teachers this month! After our first full month of operation, we feel ready to welcome our parent/guardian helpers into the classroom. There are many reasons why a co-op model of early education can be effective; one of the most important is that it allows families to play an active role in their child’s education. It also enables other children to experience families beyond their own, which is enormously valuable.
Our first parent teacher joined us today and what a treat it was! The children were overjoyed to welcome Ana to the cozy corner and read books. They eagerly sought a seat near her at Circle Time and were excited to share their favorite songs. Ana came prepared with a cooking project, which we have yet to try here at Harbor City School. It was a resounding success!
Below you’ll find the recipe we modified to make our Pumpkin Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting. This children practiced taking turns, following directions in a sequence, and even got some exposure to fractions as we worked together to mix the ingredients. We also got a little taste of Gigi’s life outside of school: she loves cooking projects with Mom!
Pumpkin Cake
- 3 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 stick butter, melted
- 15 ounces of prepared, cooked fruit (can be canned or home-made)
- 1 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- spices of your choice
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Pour batter into a microwave safe dish (9×9″ square) and microwave for 15 minutes. The cake should still be moist, but pull away from the edges slightly.
Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon cream
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- splash of lemon extract
Warm cream and sugar in microwave; stir to mix. Warm cream cheese in microwave, then add sugar and lemon extract. Spread over Pumpkin Cake (or animal crackers!) and enjoy!
The Tugboats really enjoyed both of their special treats today: eating delicious Pumpkin Cake and spending the morning with Ana!