As Grade 2 students wrapped up their Patricia Polacco unit, they celebrated by delving into Thunder Cake, a heartwarming story about bravery and courage. Together, they reflected on times when they’ve felt afraid and, like the characters in the story, found ways to face their fears instead of avoiding them.

To bring the story to life, students participated in a hands-on baking project to create their own Thunder Cake using the author's recipe. Under the supervision of Kitchen and Food Lab Coordinator Paulette Herbstman and Grade 2 teachers Sara Bellick and Sara Margolis, each student had a specific job in the baking process. They applied math skills from the classroom as they measured and mixed ingredients. Their teamwork and cooperation made the entire experience, and the sweet reward at the end, even better!