Gingerbread fever at Forest Lake

The Gingerbread Man visited kindergarten students at Forest Lake Elementary School last Friday. Then, during recess, he was gone.

Children and their teachers went on a hunt for the Gingerbread Man around the school on Dec. 12, following clues that were taped to the walls. It eventually led them to the cafeteria, where they were reunited with their new friend, and also treated to a special activity.

Gathering around two long tables, the children made their very own gingerbread houses. Starting with small, empty milk cartons, they added graham crackers for the walls, then icing. They had an assortment of treats to choose from to decorate their houses including gummy bears, pretzels, gum drops, marshmallows, Skittles, M&M’s and more. Each child was able to invite in one special person to help, and got to take their finished product home.

Kindergarten teacher Robin Conte said the children spent weeks reading various gingerbread-themed books, studying the similarities and differences between the stories, and the literary devices used. They even had some hands-on activities including science experiments and gingerbread taste tests. “It’s a topic that they can have fun with,” Conte said.

After reading “The Gingerbread Loose in the School,” the kids went on their own hunt for the Gingerbread Man.

Each child was asked to bring in one item for the gingerbread houses. “They’ll have a nice treat and a good memory,” Conte said. “When they do things like this, they remember the stories.”