r e a m C Warm bread, corn dollies and Celtic knots – welcome the autumn of the with a Harvest festival treat Cr o p

hroughout this creative project, the children are encouraged to explore the concept of harvest and to further their own understanding of the annual event. The activities on the following three pages have a D&T- based theme, and offer a real hands- on experience with some of the more traditional and interesting features of the Harvest festival. Children can bake bread, makes corn dollies and design a Celtic knot. There is also a handy history of the Harvest festival, to help develop their knowledge.

Sarah Stevens Early years teacher and D&T coordinator image © photodisc inc./ getty images

Child education august 2007 www.scholastic.co.uk/magazines 29 History of t h e h a r v e s t Ba k i n g b r e a d f e s t i v a l Bread has been one of man’s main foods since the earliest of days. Harvest festivals or Loaves have been found in Egyptian tombs, and unleavened and thanksgiving ceremonies have leavened bread is often mentioned in the Bible. Going back even occurred throughout the world further, in the Stone Age cakes were made from stone-crushed since man began growing and . crops. It is a celebration that Harvest festival used to be named ‘Lammas’ day meaning ‘loaf spans many religions. Harvest mass’ day. At this time the new wheat was used to make bread, which originates before Christianity was then given to the local church. This bread would be used as the and has been in evidence since communion bread during a service. Lammas day was celebrated on pagan times. How well the crops the 1 August, this being a day of thanksgiving. grew was fundamental to the lives of the people. The first corn was offered to a god of fertility Ge t t i n g s t a r t e d by Saxon farmers, in the hope Bread buns Alternatives Use the ingredients as stated in the list, left. of a successful harvest the Use these quick activities to introduce your harvest topic. following year. Ingredients It was usual for a celebration  2oz (50g) butter or meal to be held once the harvest margarine Bread knot Cottage loaf What do we know had been gathered, to which  1lb (450g) unbleached white  Follow the  Follow the method to step 5. about harvest? everyone in the local area would flour bread buns Then divide the dough into one You will need: one card be invited. This would signify  2 teaspoons salt method to step large ball and one smaller ball. dice with a picture of each of the the culmination of a long period  ½ teaspoon sugar 5. Shape the Place the smaller ball on top of following on the six sides: scarecrow, of hard labour out in the fields,  ¼ of 6g sachet fast-action dough into a the larger one. combine harvester, growing corn, and would usually take place in dried yeast long roll and  Make a hole in the middle, weather type, farm, bread. September.  8fl oz (250ml) warm water knot it once. using your finger.  Let the children talk about The celebration of harvest  Poppy seeds, sesame seeds,  Place on a  Snip the edges of the dough what time of year it currently at church began in 1843, when sunflower seeds or linseed for greased baking and continue with step 7 as is. Then tell them that they will be Reverend Robert Hawker invited sprinkling sheet and leave shown in the original method. helping you to explain what harvest is parishioners to a thanksgiving  1 egg white for glaze. for 30 minutes. all about. service at his church in  Follow step 7  Present the children with the dice and Cornwall. This resulted in the Method as shown left. briefly talk through each of the images on decorating of churches with 1 Sift the flour into a large Baking times its sides. home-grown products at harvest bowl and add the salt. may vary.  Encourage the children to take turns rolling time. Other rituals included the 2 Mix in the yeast and then the dice. They should give a brief description horse bringing in the last cart add the sugar. of the side that lands upwards after each turn. Where does our food load decorated in garlands, and 3 Rub in the butter or Braided bread Choose a scribe to record thoughts on the come from? church bells being rung on each margarine, and add the warm  Follow the bread buns method to step 5, except whiteboard – this can be recorded in word You will need: two shopping bags: day of the harvest. water. Mix until dough like. leave the dough to rise for only 20 minutes. Then cut format or in a pictorial format. one bag containing ‘unprocessed’ food Today, harvest acts as a 4 Knead the mixture well for it into three equal pieces.  When each side of the dice has been types (potatoes, corn, wheat, ) and reminder of just how lucky ten minutes.  Roll the pieces using the palms of your hands into played, share thoughts and add any views the other bag containing ‘processed’ food we are to have the variety and 5 Transfer the mixture to an three long ropes (approximately 50cm long). You that have not been aired already. types (crisps, cornflakes, bread, oatmeal.) plentiful supply of food to eat. oiled bowl and place a tea may wish to make the loaf larger in the centre. In  Show the children the two shopping We now celebrate harvest with towel over the top. Wait while which case, make the ropes thicker in the middle. bags. Let them take it in turns to pull gifts of food brought to church, the mixture rises in a warm  Pinch together the ropes at one end and then out food items, describing what it is and often donated to needy causes place. This should take about braid them as if plaiting pigtails. what they know about each item. Ask and special harvest services. an hour.  When you get to the ends, wet them, pinch them the children to keep the food contents 6 Divide the mixture into 12 together and tuck them under the plait. separate (two hoops could be used, one pieces and shape into rolls,  Carefully transfer the plait onto an oiled baking for each bag). Hold up an item from placing them on greased tray and leave for a further 20 minutes to rise, in a the unprocessed bag and challenge the baking sheets. Leave in a warm warm position. children to show you which food item is place for half an hour to rise.  Brush over with egg white to provide a glaze and made from this food type. Repeat until all 7 Brush over with egg white sprinkle seeds over the top if available. Alternatively, the food items have been sorted. to provide a glaze. Sprinkle on why not try sprinkling cheese on top, or add a honey  Discuss what else we know comes from the seeds. Preheat the oven glaze for a sweeter loaf. the unprocessed food types and write the to 220°c /425°F (gas mark 7).  Place in a preheated oven at 220°c /425°F (gas children’s answers on the whiteboard. Bake for 15–20 minutes. mark 7) for 30 minutes or until golden brown. dice, vegetables, scarecrow © photodisc inc./ getty images; sandwich © laurence moulton / photoalto images courtesy of sarah stevens © photodisc inc./ getty images

30 www.scholastic.co.uk/magazines august 2007 Child education Child education august 2007 www.scholastic.co.uk/magazines 31 Cr e a t i n g c o r n d o l l i e s Ma k i n g a n a n c i e n t The idea of making corn dolls is a pagan custom and one that goes back Ce l t i c k n o t thousands of years. Before Christian times, people believed the spirit of the corn lived among the crop and that at harvest time the corn You will need: real or became homeless. As a result, shapes were formed from the last sheaf pre-painted ; glue or clear of crop. The idea was that the corn spirit would spend the winter tape to fasten the end. in people’s homes, until the corn dolly was ploughed into the ground the following season. The use of the word ‘dolly’ may originate from Method the comparison with a doll-like object. The corn dolly would often have  If using real straw, soak it first pride of place at the harvest banquet table. and leave to dry.  Lay out a single straw and find its centre. Here’s how to make a corn dolly.  Fold the straw so that it looks like a capital L shape. You will need: a bundle of dried wheat or corn with the ears still  You will see that one of the in place. (It may help to soak these first and then let them dry before arms lies under the other arm. using them to make the corn dolly.) If corn is not available, art straws Take this arm over the other. pre-painted and allowed to dry make a good alternative; thread to tie  This will result in the other arm the wheat or corn together. now lying below this one. Fold this over the other arm. Method  Repeat the process until the  Hold the corn together and tie at the top, below straw is used up. the ears. This will become the hair. Cut the ears to  You will now have a square shape if desired. shape. Pull both ends of the square, moving it around to  Tie the corn a second time, this time slightly reveal the design. lower down. This introduces the idea of a face.  Secure the ends with clear tape or glue – and your  Take small portions of the corn at either side (so Celtic knot is complete!  separating the doll into three sections). This will provide the arms. Tie the arms at each end to look like wrists. Cut the corn to create the appearance of hands.  Using the thread, tie the corn in the middle to form a waist.  Separate the lower half of the doll into two halves. Tie at the bottom, where the ankles would be. The dolly should now have the appearance of legs. Cut the feet into shape for a final touch.  As an extension, paint the dolly to add colour and vibrancy to the figure. Use yellows and browns for an authentic look. Alternatively, wild and wacky colours can be applied in total contrast to the dolly’s natural hues.

Making a harvest plait Another traditional use for corn was plaiting it to make a harvest knot. Below is a child-friendly way of making a corn plait.  Dampen the corn (ideally with its ears still intact) beforehand to make it pliable.  Put the children into pairs and let each pair take a small handful of corn (they can experiment with the amount). Th e c e l t i c k n o t  One child should hold the corn with their arms The Celtic knot was traditionally a form outstretched, while the other child plaits it. They of organic sculpture and represented should try to keep the plait as tight as possible. fertility and wonder of the harvest and  Remind the children to stop plaiting before they get to the ears. thanksgiving. Grooms used to give  Tie red ribbon to the end of the plait to keep it in place. their brides a harvest knot made of  The plaits can by hung on the the wall in the classroom or children straw when they became engaged.

crops © photodisc inc./ getty images; all other images courtesy of sarah stevens can take them home to hang on their bedroom door.

32 www.scholastic.co.uk/magazines august 2007 Child education