Weinerbrød is Danish for danish!

Lagkagehuset Photo!

Friday (Fredag) morning is one of my favorite days at the office. At the end of each week, my coworker and new friend Jesper uses cutting edge educational theory to facilitate learning of Danish culture. Using multiple senses and authentic connections to learning, he brings Danish culture to life! Jesper teaches with the pastry (actually several pastries). With each pastry, a bit of culture, a new term and perhaps a story. We have tried the spandauer, weinerbrød (though this might just be the Danish way of saying danish), the snegl, as well as many other tasty treats.  My favorite so far is a treat from his own home town, it looks like fried dough from a carnival but is lighter and more flaky than crispy.

I often get so lost in the enjoyment of the pastry that it is difficult for me to remember the name or the story that goes with it. But the cultural lesson is not lost - Jesper,  master teacher, has built repetition into the lessons as well. He will sometimes throw a pastry we have tried before to help build fluency and proficiency.

The pastry, coffee and conversation are a great way to start the day. Jesper and I are both fans of chess, and 'so bad they are good’ movies  (he recently turned me on to Sharknado) so we have plenty to talk about. He is also passionate about education and Denmark. What better way to start a Friday!