This lesson plan was created by Carol Isler of Tygerheart^tm Fine Soaps
PO Box 208, Lyman, SC  29365
Phone 864-801-2997
Please give credit when sharing with others.
 

Students should be 10 years or older to participate.  Due to the
dangerous nature of making soap from scratch, students who misbehave
will be dismissed form the class.  Students should bring with them a
pair of laytex gloves, and apron or old shirt to wear over clothes.
Time Period:  2.5 hr.

Objectives
The student will
        -observe various samples of homemade soaps
        -view pictures and illustrations of soap making from ancient 
         times to present 
        -draw conclusions about the benefits and draw backs of homemade
         soap
        -observe and assist in a demonstration of soap making using
         melted fats and a lye solution.
        -rebatch (melt) a 250g sample of homemade soap
        -add various common spices and herbs to the rebatch to color the soap
        -add fragrance or essential oils to the rebatch to scent the
         soap
        - mold the soap with plastic molds or by hand.

Materials Provided
For the demo: lard, olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, castor oil, cocoa
butter, Red Devil Lye, electronic balance, measuring cups and spoons,
various soap making books, crock pot, thermometer (plastic apron and
goggles for the instructor and 1 assistant)

For the rebatch: 250 g of freshly made soap per student, spices, soap
fragrences, pyrex bowls, graters, stirring spoons, olive oil, bowl of
water, paper towels, plastic wrap, various soap molds, microwave,
freezer.
 
 

Procedure

1. Introduce students to various samples of homemade soaps and allow them
    to wash hands and discuss how the homemade soap is different from store
    bought soap.

2. Ask students to guess how long people have been using soap then relate a
     brief history of soap to students showing pictures of past methods of
     soap making.

3. Demonstrate soap making from scratch (hot process) while students watch.
        -Give students a copy of the recipe.
        -Get students to assist in measuring fats, oils, and water.
        -While oils heat in crock pot, instructor measures lye and makes the lye solution. (outside)
        -Cool lye solution in a sink of cool water.
         -Slowly add lye solution to warm oils in crock pot while stirring.
        -Alternate stirring with spoon and hand blender until trace is reached.
        -Turn crock pot on low and cover.
        -Instruct students to periodically watch for "apple sauce stage" through glass top. 
 

4. Begin rebatch activity while demo soap cooks.
        -Provide students with graters, chunks of freshly made soap, and pyrex bowls.
        -Grate the soap like cheese until each student has 250 grams. 
        -Place the grated soap in the bowl and add a tablespoon of water and a drizzle of olive oil.
        -Put the covered bowl in microwave and nuke on high for one minute.
        -Stir and repeat at 45 second  to 1 min intervals until the entire mixture is 
          melted and resembles mashed potatoes.
        -Add spices, herbs, and/or fragrance as desired. Stir.
        -Spoon and mush the melted soap mixture into greased molds or allow 
          to cool slightly and mold with hands.
        -Place molds in freezer for 20 minutes then unmold.

5.  Return to the crock pot soap which should be finished by now. 
        Spoon out the hot mixture into bowls for students to color and scent.
        Allow to cool then mold into soap balls and finish cooling.

6.  While slower students are finishing, privide library books on soap
     making and crafting for students to read.