CP: How Oreo Cookies Are Made

Class Plans
Featured Image

Set the Scene:

Let’s start with some engaging questions to connect your everyday life to the subject of Oreo cookies. Please consider the following:

  • What is your favorite type of cookie, and why do you enjoy it?
  • Have you ever wondered how your favorite cookies are made?
  • Do you have a favorite memory associated with eating cookies?
  • How do you think the manufacturing process of cookies affects their taste and quality?
  • What do you think are the most important factors in making a cookie delicious?

Featured Image Analysis & Prediction:

Look at the featured image of Oreo cookies. What do you see in the image? What do you think this activity will be about based on this image? Please discuss your thoughts and predictions.

Introduction:

Read the introduction to the activity, which provides an overview of the history of Oreo cookies and their production process.

Video Engagement:

Watch the video on how Oreo cookies are made. Pause the video at the following strategic points:

  1. When the video shows the preparation of the batter, pause and discuss: What ingredients do you think are being used to make the batter? Why are they important for the cookie-making process?
  2. When the video shows the shaping of the cookies, pause and discuss: How do you think the molding machine helps in creating the iconic Oreo cookie shape? What would happen if the cookies were not shaped correctly?
  3. When the video shows the assembly of the cookies, pause and discuss: What do you think is the most challenging part of the assembly process? How do you think the centrilical pump helps in depositing the vanilla filling?

Vocabulary Focus:

Review the key vocabulary related to the manufacturing process of Oreo cookies. Make sure you understand the definitions and example usage of each term.

Term Definition Example Usage
Nabisco The National Baking Company, a merger of several baking companies in 1898 that eventually created the Oreo cookie. Nabisco is the company behind the production of Oreo cookies.
Leavening agents Substances used to cause dough or batter to rise, giving baked goods a light and airy texture. Leavening agents are added to the Oreo cookie dough to help it rise during baking.
Industrial-grade mixer A large, heavy-duty machine used for mixing large quantities of ingredients. The Oreo factory uses an industrial-grade mixer to combine the cookie ingredients.
Dry ice The solid form of carbon dioxide, used to lower temperatures quickly. Dry ice is added to the Oreo cookie dough to lower its temperature and create a less crumbly texture.
Molding machine A machine used to shape and form dough or other materials into specific shapes. The Oreo factory uses a molding machine to shape the cookie dough into biscuit shapes.
Centrilical pump A type of pump that uses centrifugal force to move fluids or semi-solids. A centrilical pump is used to deposit the vanilla filling onto the Oreo cookies.
Quality control The process of checking and testing products to ensure they meet certain standards or specifications. The Oreo cookies undergo quality control checks before being packaged and shipped.
Conveyor A system of belts, rollers, or other devices used to move materials or products from one place to another. The Oreo cookies are moved along a conveyor to the quality control station.
Industrial-grade oven A large, heavy-duty oven used for baking or cooking large quantities of food. The Oreo cookies are baked in an 85-meter long industrial-grade oven.
Vegetable shortening A type of fat or oil derived from plants, used in baking and cooking. Vegetable shortening is used in the production of the vanilla cream filling for Oreo cookies.

Grammar Focus:

Review the grammar focus on the use of passive voice in the context of the Oreo cookie manufacturing process. Make sure you understand how to form the passive voice using the verb “to be” in combination with the past participle of the main verb.

Complete the grammar quiz to practice your understanding of the passive voice:

  1. The Oreo cookies ____________________ at factories in 18 countries around the world.
    • are producing
    • produce
    • are produced
    • have produced
  2. The main ingredients used in the cookie-making process ____________________ from different producers.
    • are sourcing
    • source
    • are sourced
    • have sourced
  3. The mixture ____________________ together with huge beaters, and water is added to create a batter.
    • is blended
    • blend
    • are blending
    • blends
  4. The cookies ____________________ in an 85-meter long industrial-grade oven for several minutes.
    • bake
    • are baked
    • baking
    • have baked
  5. The Oreo cookies ____________________ into larger boxes or containers and shipped to distribution centers.
    • package
    • are packaging
    • are packaged
    • have packaged

Answer Key:

  1. c) are produced
  2. c) are sourced
  3. a) is blended
  4. b) are baked
  5. c) are packaged