Parsha Cakes
Introduction
Why someone who never owned a mixer would start cake decorating.
Why Parsha Cakes Work
Bloom’s Taxonomy - Developed in 1956 by Benjamin Bloom. There are six levels within the taxonomy that move from basic to high levels of thinking. Knowing, Understanding, Applying, Analyzing, Evaluating, Creating.
Constructivism is a learning theory based on authentic and real-world situations. Students internalize and construct new knowledge based on past experiences. The constructivism theory is student-centered and encourages higher level processing skills to apply their working knowledge. [1]
Situated Learning – described by Jean Lave and Etienne Wenger as a model of learning in a Community of practice. Situated learning is learning that takes place in the same context in which it is applied. “Brown, Collins and Duguid (1989) argued that meaningful learning will only take place if it is embedded in the social and physical context within which it will be used.” [2]
Zone of Proximal Development is the difference between what a child can do independently and what they can do with guidance from adults or peers.
Sociocultural historical theory – Based on Vygotsky’s theories of cultural mediation,Barbara Rogoff discusses how culture is transmitted. She discusses
situated learning and how cultural learning must be situated in real life activities and also be authentic. Children are “apprenticed” in the use of cultural tools through activity with skilled mentors. The degree to which they are able to advance with skilled assistance is referred to as the
Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD).
[3]
Critical characteristics of Situated Learning
The learning environments will:
· Provide authentic context that reflect the way the knowledge will be used in real-life;
· Provide authentic activities;
· Provide access to expert performances and the modelling of processes;
· Provide multiple roles and perspectives;
· Support collaborative construction of knowledge;
· Provide coaching and scaffolding at critical times;
· Promote reflection to enable abstractions to be formed;
· Promote articulation to enable tacit knowledge to be made explicit
· Provide for integrated assessment of learning within the tasks. [4]
Making Parsha Cakes
Tools of the Trade
- Fondant - wilton
- Corn Syrup
- Cake Spatula - flat, silicone, angled
- Frosting in Cans - Wilton, Pillsbury, Duncan Hines
- Food Coloring – Gels vs. Water base
- Corn Starch
- Crumb Coating
- Cake Leveling
- Pound Cake
- Piping Gel
- Candies, toppings
At the Shabbos Table
Using the Parsha Cake to teach the Parsha
Engaging different ages during the discussion
Prompting Higher Level Thinking Skills
Planning for Next Week