Eat Hot Tamales Candy Using Chopsticks-Fun Writing Ideas for Kids

This Hot Tamales writing prompt is a winner lesson and one of my favorites!

Why Journal?

Last summer I taught a week of journal writing. I explained to the campers that a journal is a great place to jot down your most honest feelings; excitement, frustration, disappointment, angst, fear, anger, humor etc.

So, to create a scenario that could generate positive OR negative feelings I decided to have the campers try eating HOT TAMALES (the candy) using CHOPSTICKS! What a great combo.

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I mean think about it, this could go in many directions.

A child may love chewy candy but hate the spicy cinnamon. Or vice versa, they may love the spicy cinnamon and hate the chewy candy stuck in their teeth. Children may be completely discouraged having to use the chopsticks or tickled and giggly trying to do so. I knew that this experiment would generate all kinds of opinions and it did!

The Chopsticks

I bought the chopsticks at a local Chinese restaurant. They charged me $1.00 for 20. Or you can buy 100 of the exact same brand onAmazon*. (see wrapping below)

Any extra chopsticks can be used with the Non-fiction Chopstcks vs. Forks and Knives writing prompt.

Hot Tamales

I found Hot Tamales* at my local grocery store. They are typically $1.00–$2.00 a box. I found that 1 box was plenty for 17 campers. Each camper got 3+ tamales each. I also bought a regular box of plain chewy candy just for fun and to serve as a reward.

We completed the experiment, cleaned up, then wrote!

Common Core State Standards

NOTE: This lesson can address the following Common Core State Standards: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.1, W.1.1, W.2.1, W.3.1, W.4.1, W.5.1, W.K.3, W.1.3, W.2.3, W.3.3, W.4.3, W.5.3, L.1.2.A, L.1.2.C and L.2.2.B.

NOW THE LESSON!

To get a full understanding on how I conduct each writing lesson you may want to read the Writing Prompts Introduction post. The lesson outlined below (and all other prompts posted) will make more sense and be easier to follow and use.

Here’s the lined paper I use for Grades K-2 and Grades 2-7

Tell the Story Line

First, tell the story line: You’re going to try to eat Hot Tamales candy using a pair of chopsticks. Then, you’re going to write about the experience as well as your thoughts about the candy and using chopsticks.

2. Explain to the students that a journal is a great place to jot down your most honest feelings; excitement, frustration, disappointment, angst, fear, anger, humor etc.

Third, explain to the students that they’re going to try eating HOT TAMALES (the candy) using CHOPSTICKS!

Brainstorm

Discuss how this can generate so many different thoughts and feelings:

“Someone may love chewy candy but hate the spicy cinnamon. Or another may love the spicy cinnamon and hate the chewy candy stuck in their teeth. People may be completely discouraged having to use the chopsticks or tickled and giggly trying to do so.”

Show the 5 Sections

Introduction

The Experience

Hot Tamales Opinion

Chopsticks Opinion

Conclusion

As mentioned in my writing prompts introduction: K-1^st Graders are encouraged to write 1 sentence for each section, 2^nd Graders 2 sentences, 3^rd Graders 3 sentences and so on.

NOW TO WRITE!

First, on the first line, right side, write the date.
On the second line, left side, write the greeting, Dear Journal,
Skip a line.
Next, on the 4th line, left side, write an introduction using 1-2 sentences: You won’t believe what I had to do at writing camp today! I had to eat Hot Tamales using chopsticks!
Write about the whole experience (Was it fun/or not? Were there many students or a few students? Was it easy or hard, surprising or exciting? etc.)
Then, write your opinion about the Hot Tamales candy (spicy cinnamon, chewy, spicy food or candy in general)
Next, write about using chopsticks (Describe your attempts. Was this your first time? Did you already know how? Did you like it or not? Why or why not? Mention the many people who do use chopsticks around the world.
Write a conclusion using 1-2 sentences: I hope I never have to do that again! OR Wow, that was surprisingly easy and yummy! I’m going to use chopsticks more often to eat my candy. Haha!
Under the conclusion and in the center of the paper write the salutation, (Your Friend,)
Under the salutation write your name.