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Cooking in the Classroom
April 19, 2011
The Nutrition Month® theme this year was "Celebrate food ... from field to table", focusing on families cooking together. Cooking in the classroom appeals to hands-on learners, improves self esteem by increasing independence, reinforces curriculum expectations, and encourages lifelong eating habits through teaching children to prepare healthy foods. Food preparation experiences also help expose children to different foods, as children are more likely to try food when they help prepare it.
Curriculum connections include reading (e.g., text features, word study, shared reading), procedural writing (e.g., making own recipes), measurement skills, information technology (e.g., searching for recipes and researching food), and French (e.g., culminating task for a food unit that includes preparing a simple recipe).
10 Classroom Cooking Tips
- Try no-cook recipes, recipes that can be done using plastic knives, and crock pot recipes.
- Many recipes that are heated on the stove top may be adapted to be heated in a crock pot in the classroom.
- Ask for parent volunteers to help during cooking lessons or buddy with an older class. Older student helpers can help you prep some of the food before the lesson to avoid long periods of waiting for the children.
- Before cooking, familiarize students with the recipe and cooking terms during word study and shared reading activities.
- For younger children, you may want to do some of the food preparation (e.g., cutting) yourself while having the children observe.
- For older children, set up different work stations so each child gets hands-on experience.
- Involve children in age-appropriate tasks, like peeling a banana, mixing with a spoon, adding measured ingredients into the bowl, etc. Read Cooking in the Classroom FAQs for other age-appropriate tasks that involve children in a safe manner.
- Have several groups of children make the same recipe so all children are involved and there will be enough for everyone to try.
- Remind children to save tasting for the end, when everyone can sample the recipe together. Some children may not feel comfortable sampling the recipe. Continue to encourage them to be part of the preparation experience, but let them make the decision whether to try the food or not.
- To raise money for food ingredients, try a healthy fundraiser (e.g., fruit kabobs, smoothies), request small amounts of money or food ingredients from families, or apply for the Teach Nutrition Award.
Recipe Ideas
In addition to the ideas listed below, age-appropriate recipes ideas are also included in the Program and Resources section of the Teach Nutrition website under the Activities section for each division. All recipes are written in a child friendly format, include pictures, and are posted in both English and French.
No-Bake Recipes
Require Heating
For information on safety considerations, age-appropriate food preparation tasks, and encouraging children to taste food, read
Cooking in the Classroom FAQs.