Rolling Through The Snow

Singing is one of the best ways to get, and keep, kids interested in an activity.  Songs are way more fun to listen to (and sing along to) than directions!In the second part of this cookie activity the directions are repetitive. You make a ball of dough, roll it through sugar to coat it, then put in on the cookie sheet. If you make up a song about what you are doing, it can help keep kids engaged in the activity, especially if they are unsure about touching some of the ingredients like sticky dough or crumbly sugar. Singing about what you are doing during food-play reminds kids of what is coming next so they can feel more safe in the activity. Songs also teach kids new words to describe foods they are learning about, which can help them become more comfortable with the new foods.Have fun with the activity, get silly with the songs and enjoy the cookies!Use this made-up  song or make up your own song to any familiar tune.Rolling Through The Snow  (to the tune of Jingle Bells):" Rolling through the snow, with my little ball of doughround and round it rolls, until it's full of snow.then put it on the sheet, next to the other ballsoh what fun it is to make these cookies after all!Oh, now it's time, now it's time, to make another ball.Use the spoon to take some dough and roll it in your hands."You could even add another song into the activity for the time when you're rolling the dough into a ball:Roll it (to the tune of Dreidel Dreidel Dreidel):"Roll it, roll it, roll it, make a little ball.Roll it, roll it, roll it, make a little ball." Molasses Crinkles Recipe:from Fine Cooking, Winter 2003, issue #54, page 892 cups flour2 tsp baking soda1 1/4 tsp ground ginger1 tsp ground cinnamon1/2 tsp ground cloves1/2 tsp table salt4 ounces (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened1 cup packed dark brown sugar2 Tbs vegetable oil1/3 cup molasses1 large egggranulated sugar for rollingSeveral Hours Before Baking:In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and salt. With an electric mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar until light in color and texture. Beat in the oil until blended. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, add the molasses and the egg and beat until blended. Stir in the flour until well combined. Wrap the dough in plastic and chill until firm, about 3 hours.To Bake:Heat the oven to 375 degrees F. Measure the dough into tablespoon-size pieces and roll each piece between your palms to form 1-inch balls. Roll the balls in granulated sugar to coat. Put the balls 2 inches apart on lightly greased cookie sheets. Sprinkle the tops with more sugar and bake until the center surface of the cookies is barely dry, 7-8 minutes (Don't overbake. They're done when cracks start to appear on top of the cookies). Let cool on the sheets for 5 minutes; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.