First Grade Activity Granola is a great way to try whole grains! It's a great quick snack or meal served with yogurt or milk and fruit. Good Day Granola makes about 18 cups Materials/Equipment Needed: Large mixing bowl and stirring spoon Dry and liquid measuring cups Measuring spoons Microwave, hot plate or skillet or stove top Two cookie sheet pans with sides (also called jelly roll pans, 15 X 10-inch) Oven (OR, large electric skillet or roaster with lid may be substituted in a pinch) Granola ingredients Ingredients: 8 cups rolled oats, old fashioned 1 ½ cups unprocessed bran* 1 ½ cups wheat germ (untoasted)* 1 ¼ cups brown sugar, firmly packed ¾ cup roasted sunflower kernels, no salt ½ cup sunflower or vegetable oil ¾ cup honey 2 teaspoons vanilla extract ½ cup flaked coconut 2 cups raisins ½ cup dried cherries OR dried fruit pieces * Found in the cereal or baking aisles of most supermarkets. Instructions: Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. In a large bowl, stir oats, bran, wheat germ, brown sugar and sunflower kernels. Put sunflower oil and honey in a small saucepan or microwaveable container. Heat, stirring frequently, until bubbly. Stir in vanilla. Pour liquid over dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Divide oat mixture evenly and spread on two cookie sheet pans (jelly roll, 15 X 10-inch). Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until toasted and dry, stirring once to keep granola evenly browned. When completely cooled, add the raisins, coconut and dried cherries or fruit pieces. Source: National Sunflower Association Snack Option: Serve the granola with a glass of or as a topping for yogurt or pudding. BOOKS FOR READING TOGETHER: One Grain of Rice. A Mathematical Folktale. Demi. 1997. More on whole grains: www.generalmills.com/wholegrain and www.wheatfoods.org BAKE FOR FAMILY FUN EXPLORATION: Identify foods in the five food groups (USDA Food Guide Pyramid) Find labels of whole grain foods-Cheerios, whole wheat bread, oatmeal Read a recipe together and follow the steps Practice the skill of measuring liquid and dry ingredients Prepare a nutritious food with all the food groups for quick snacks or breakfast Prepare and taste a food made from whole grains What is a serving of granola? (1 oz.-1/4 cup) Discover new vocabulary words: Granola: rolled oats mixed with various ingredients for a snack or breakfast cereal Wholegrain: a food containing all three parts of the grain-the bran, germ and endosperm; food made from the entire grain (such as wheat, oats, corn, barley, etc.) Parent note:Why teach children to enjoy foods that are whole grains? With whole grains, the "whole" is truly greater than the sum of the parts. Individual nutrients in whole grain foods each offer important health benefits. Working together in the "whole" food, they perform in powerful ways to protect health. Start with Three: Health and nutrition professionals recommend three of the six to eleven servings of grain foods should be whole grain every day, if possible.