Thunder Cake Day!

If you are looking for a way to teach Reading, Writing, Math and Science all in one activity today is your lucky day!

For this lesson you will need:
"Thunder Cake" by Patricia Polacco
Ingredients and utensils to make the cake (recipe to follow)
Balance scale and gram squares or weights
Beaker
Journal
Index cards
Calculator

Reading- You can read it to the children or have them round-robin read it together.

Math- Convert the measurements of dry ingredients into grams. Convert the liquids into milliliters. Journal your numbers and later add them together for a huge total number.

Writing- Write each ingredient and it's needed measurement on an index card.

Science- Discuss the different types of measurements being used and why (liquid versus solid). Using a balance scale and a beaker measure all your ingredients for the cake. Categorize your index cards and label them different colors according to liquids and solids.

Writing Again!- Journal the activity - What is your favorite cake? How many total grams and milliliters did you use to make the cake? What did you like about the book?

The cake should have strawberries on it, but I don't like chocolate and strawberries so the children put them on their slices.

Thunder Cake
1 cup shortening
1 3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs, separated ( blend yolks in. Beat whites until they are stiff, then fold in.)
1 cup cold water
1/3 cup pureed tomatoes
21/2 cups cake flour
1/2 cup dry cocoa
11/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Beat egg whites. Set aside. Cream shortening, sugar, vanilla and eggs. Add water and tomatoes. Mix dry ingredients into creamy mixture. Fold in the egg whites until well mixed. Bake in two greased and floured 8 1/2 inch round pans at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. Frost with chocolate butter frosting while still warm.

Top with strawberries.