You may be familiar with the candy salad trend seen in Tik Tok and Instagram videos. While the educational value of blending various candies is debatable, there is a way to make the concept more educational. In this Candy Salad Family Project, students brainstorm a variety of candy types and then make connections to the personality descriptions of family members before creating their own family candy salad.

Set

• Place students into small groups and ask them to brainstorm as many different candy types as possible adding them to the Candy Types handout.
• Students then share their examples by type as a class, adding any candies shared by other groups that was not initially on their list.
• Ask students if they are familiar with the candy salad trend. If they are ask them to describe it to you. If they are not or you want to show an example, play this YouTube video titled, Candy Salad in Class.

Materials

• iPads or Laptops
• Projector & Screen
• Colored Markers or Pencils

Activities

• Note: No candy needs to be purchased for this activity!
• Now that students are familiar with candy salads, introduce the Candy Salad Family Project to them. Go over each part of the project so they know what they are doing.
• In a nutshell, students...
  • Create a Candy Salad that represents their family using at least five different types of candy. Each candy should symbolize a specific characteristic, value, or trait of their family. Once their selections are made, they will create a visual representation of their salad and a key explaining their choices.
• For the first part, students…
  • Choose at least five different types of candy that represent different aspects of their family using the brainstormed lists. They should consider family traditions, personalities, values, or inside jokes when making selections.
  • Write short description (2-3 sentences per candy) explaining why each candy represents their family. Example: Gummy Bears – My family is colorful and full of different personalities! No matter our differences, we stick together.
• In the second part, students…
  • Draw the candy salad that represents your family using the provided template labeling each candy in their salad using a key with their descriptions.The layout should be neat, creative, and visually appealing. Students should be prepared to share their Candy Salad with the class and explain their choices.
• Optional, create a bulletin board or wall display out of their colorful candy salad illustrations!

Attachments

• Candy Types (PDF)
• Candy Salad Family Project & Template (PDF)