First Graders at Woodside Elementary School invited family and friends to take part in a time-honored holiday tradition that incorporates many levels of learning. Woodside’s 24nd Annual Gingerbread House Day was held December 5.
“The whole building smells of sweetness,” exclaims Woodside Elementary School First Grade Teacher Jen Butscher. “We’ve had high schoolers and college kids come back to Woodside and tell us that they remember making gingerbread houses in first grade.”
Woodside Elementary School Principal Melissa Horn describes the energy as incredible. “There is a unique kind of magic in a room filled with excited first graders, eager families and lots of frosting,” Horn explains. “While it was creative chaos in the best possible way, the real value lies in the collaboration.”
Prior to the Gingerbread House Day, first graders spend time talking about traditional and non-traditional gingerbread men stories. Butscher explains how the celebration is a culmination of classroom lessons. “We tie in our discussions with some important standards for first grade such as practicing how to retell stories including the character, setting, problem and solution. We also tie this project into mapping skills. In the past we have spent time creating our own gingerbread village and incorporating mapping skills such as using a compass, finding directions and learning how to get from one house to another. “
Hamilton High School students who are members of the National Honor Society also took part in the Gingerbread House Day both this year and last year. Butscher says it is wonderful to see those familiar faces returning to Woodside to help volunteer in supporting the event.
”Having our former Woodside students return as role models to help guide our youngest learners and engineer these sticky masterpieces was heartwarming,” shares Horn. “It is a wonderful tradition that highlights both the fun of the season and the lasting strength of our school community connections.”
Year after year, families generously donate all necessary supplies, some even making the special icing used to create the gingerbread houses. Guests spend the afternoon inside the school gymnasium working alongside the students to create gingerbread houses and special memories. “The students are SO excited! It is a great opportunity to come together with family members to create a fun, creative and personalized gingerbread house to take home,” shares Butscher.