The Gingerbread Man Encore

Where the T was for Turkey in November the G is for Gingerbread Man in December for this kindergarten classroom. 

Kindergartners have been totally immersed throughout the month with a variety of gingerbread man activities. I never knew there could be so many things to do from one story. My best memory of kindergarten was making gingerbread men with my class and Miss Ann.

Today revisiting the Gingerbread story still reigns as a highlight for kindergarten children. Who would have ever guessed that two boxes of gingerbread mix could provide so much fun.

The class had such a good time making one large gingerbread man and decorating it with all sorts of candies, cereals and raisins. The cooks baked it in the kitchen and then the gingerbread man was hidden in the nurse's room. More fun ensued hunting down the gingerbread man who must have run away. There were clues to follow which leads the class to gym teacher, music teacher, office and then back to the classroom where the baked gingerbread reappears as a snack.

Gingerbread creativity abounded in just the few  hours I was there.  

Here the teacher used hula hoops to develop the Venn Diagram concept to show the similarities and differences between two gingerbread man books. Cards representing characters in both stories where placed in appropriate circles. 

My all time favorite gingerbread man story is "The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School".

It's a fresh and funny twist on the original story. 
When a class leaves for recess, their just-baked Gingerbread Man is left behind. But he's a smart cookie and heads out to find them. He'll run, slide, skip, and (after a mishap with a soccer ball) limp as fast as he can because: "I can catch them! I'm their Gingerbread Man!"
With help from the gym teacher, the nurse, the art teacher and even the principal, a deliciously sweet ending is served up for both the Gingerbread Man and the children who made him. Suggested ages 4-7.

After the excitement of making a edible gingerbread man they spent time lacing up their own paper gingerbread man that they had painted. A scent of cinnamon wafted from the gingerbread man as the spice was added to the paint.   

Several months ago, my daughter (the classroom teacher), and I were at a craft fair. We found these super cute aprons for their class holiday gift. Their home center station just got more fun.

Apron #1 Waitress or Waiter
name tag, pencil, guest check, menus
Apron #2 Baker or Cook

hot pad, kitchen utensils, baker's hat

We added trays, plates and silverware.
I must say they were all quite excited. Since only four can be at a center at any given time it will be an incentive to work hard to get picked.  
Gingerbread Tip

If you decide to use a prepared mix rather than homemade cookie dough I would suggest using Betty Crocker Gingerbread Cookie Mix. It takes two boxes to make one large gingerbread man pictured above. 

Of course a gingerbread man needs a poem to be complete. So to refresh your memory...

Once there was a gingerbread man,
Baking in a gingerbread pan.
Raisin eyes and a cherry nose,
Trimmed right down to his fingers and toes.
A gingerbread man in a gingerbread pan!
Here's the old woman who made him so sweet,
A treat for her and her husband to eat,
She made him with flour and sugar and eggs,
She gave him a face and two arms and two legs.
A gingerbread man in a gingerbread pan!
Now open the oven to see if he's done,
This gingerbread man, he know how to run.
Out of the oven and onto the floor,
Now run away out the kitchen door.
The gingerbread man, he's out of the pan!
Now chase him old woman, now chase him old man
Chase him, yes chase him as fast as you can!
Through the garden and out the gate,
Catch him right now, before it's too late.
The gingerbread man, he's out of the pan!
Along came a cow who wanted a treat
And the gingerbread man, he looked good to eat
Run, run, as fast as you can
You can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man
I'm the gingerbread man and I'm out of the pan!
Along came a horse who wanted a snack
But the gingerbread man, he never looked back
Run, run, as fast as you can
You can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man
I'm the gingerbread man and I'm out of the pan!
Along came a farmer who wanted a treat
And the gingerbread man, he looked good to eat
Run, run, as fast as you can
You can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man
I'm the gingerbread man and I'm out of the pan!
Along came a dog who wanted a snack
But the gingerbread man, he never looked back
Run, run, as fast as you can
You can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man
I'm the gingerbread man and I'm out of the pan!
Along came a hog who wanted a treat
And the gingerbread man, he looked good to eat
Run, run, as fast as you can
You can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man
I'm the gingerbread man and I'm out of the pan!
Along came a fox who wanted a treat,
And this gingerbread man, he looked good to eat.
Jump on my back, my gingerbread pet,
And we'll cross the river, so you won't get wet
Mr. Gingerbread man, who's out of the pan!
There was no place to go, there was no place to run
And a ride on the river could be lots of fun!
So off with the fox did Gingerbread go
And what happened next, you already know
To the gingerbread man, who's out of the pan
That sly old fox had a de-lic-ious treat
And the old man and woman had nothing to eat
Not a bite was left for the cow or the dog,
The horse or the farmer or hungry old hog
There's no gingerbread man in or out of the pan!
So let us go home and get out the pan
And we'll make ourselves a new gingerbread man!
And when he is eaten, we'll make us some more
But this time we'll be certain to lock the back door!
A new gingerbread man, in a gingerbread pan!