Theo's Kitchen

Objective & content

This writing sheet teaches pupils to write a simple recipe (This is my favourite..., You need..., First, wash..., Then cut..., Put..., Add..., Don't..., Top tip: You can...). Pupils read Theo's smoothie recipe on the school blog, take its phrases and write their own recipe. By the end, they can write a recipe of 60 to 80 words with quantities and steps that start with a verb.

Pedagogical guide

Page 1 has Theo's recipe for a banana and strawberry smoothie, with a photo of smoothies. It is quick and healthy, for breakfast or after sport. For two glasses you need a banana, six strawberries, a small pot of yoghurt, a glass of milk and a spoon of honey; you wash and cut the fruit, blend everything for about a minute (never opening the blender while it is on) and pour it into two glasses. The top tip: ice cubes make it cold, and mango works too. Pupils answer six questions with three options each, then read the useful phrases, set out in the order of a recipe (start, you need, steps, verbs first, be careful, top tip). Page 2 starts with four steps of an apple yoghurt recipe to complete with verbs from a box. Then pupils write a recipe from a card (a fruit salad, hot chocolate, a cheese toastie or pancakes, each with what you need, the steps and a top tip; the three cooked ones say "with an adult") or their own favourite, and tick the checklist. The answer key gives a model recipe.

Suggested procedure

1. (5 min) Ask "What can you make in the kitchen?" and list the verbs pupils know (wash, cut, mix).
2. (10 min) Read Theo's recipe aloud; pupils answer the questions.
3. (5 min) Read the useful phrases with the class; pupils find the verbs at the start of each step.
4. (5 min) Page 2: pupils complete the apple yoghurt recipe.
5. (20 min) Pupils choose a card, write their recipe and tick the checklist.
6. (5 min) Pupils mime one step; the class says the instruction.

Adaptations

[S] Pupils follow Theo's recipe line by line and change the food.

[A] Pupils add a second top tip and a "Don't..." line.

Materials & prerequisites

One copy of pages 1 and 2 per pupil. Page 3 is the answer key, the model recipe and the teacher notes: keep it. Pupils need imperatives, numbers and the words for food and cooking. To take it further, the class makes a recipe book, or pupils make the smoothie at home and report back.