The Blackhawk Barkery

What started as an idea to get her students to be able to follow a simple recipe in keeping them on task with life skills, has turned into a monthly activity due to the high demand of requests received. I am talking about the Blackhawk Barkery, which the students make doggy treats for staff who are dog owners. For the 2nd year, Mrs. Martinez, Dr. Drake, Mrs. Guches, and the LIMS class have been making tasty treats for our favorite furry friends. This activity began last school year, and was such a success, that it was brought back. The students have fun while creating these treats because it teaches them teamwork, how to listen to and follow instructions, and it involves a little bit of math when keeping up with the total amount of treats made. 

How does it work? An email is sent out informing staff to place their orders for their dog treats. Once orders are placed, the students calculate how many total treats they are make, including both small treats and large treats. Once that is done, the students grab the ingredients needed to make orders, and create them by following the recipe. This is all the work of the students. Adult input is not required until the treats are all made up, being only there to make sure the numbers are correct, and that the treats are properly baked off. While they are baking, the students make up the bags that will hold these treats for delivery at a later date. 

On delivery day, the students walk around the school and drop off the doggy treats to the staff who placed an order. The treats are of no charge, but staff and teachers have given donations, which the LIMS team will use to put towards future life skills activities and events.