SHOPPING FOR SUPPLIES
Students can look at a recipe of their choice and practice shopping for the ingredients they would need to make it. Going to the grocery store would be perfect for this lesson, but if you need some extra practice in the comfort of your classroom, check this grocery shopping simulation out below. It is a great way for students to get more comfortable locating items in a grocery store by identifying the correct aisle and food label to make sure they are purchasing the right thing.
WORKING WITH FRACTIONS
Fractions play such a huge role when cooking! So many of my students struggle with correctly using measuring cups. Whether it is selecting the right one or knowing how to build larger amounts from smaller cups (ex: how to make ⅔ cup using only ⅓ cup), this is an essential life skill that goes hand in hand with cooking instruction. Check out some of these lessons below that you can use to support math instruction when using measuring cups in your classroom.
LOOK UP RECIPES ONLINE
Empower students to take control of their learning by providing them with the power of choice. I usually have students vote on things they would like to cook in class. Each student researches something online they’d like to try. Here is an activity you can use to help structure their online research.
FINE MOTOR SKILLS
Many students have never had an opportunity to use kitchen tools that we take for granted. Things like knowing how to correctly position and use a can opener to open canned goods can significantly promote more independence outside of the classroom. Other obvious things you can work to improve fine motor skills when cooking include chopping ingredients, cracking an egg, placing items on a cookie sheet, mixing different texture items, pressing the correct buttons on appliances, and much more!
FOOD PREP SAFETY
When cooking, it is important for students to know how to keep contaminants away from their food. Whether it is germs on their hands or germs on their prep surfaces, reviewing things like washing hands, refrigerating meats, proper thawing techniques, etc. is a crucial lesson to prevent illnesses down the road.
PICKING CORRECT INGREDIENTS
Going to the grocery store can be a very overwhelming experience. There is SO much going on and sometimes it can be really difficult to make sure you are buying the right item. I use the following activities to make sure my students are able to slow down and read labels correctly so they are purchasing the right item. After all, when cooking, making sure you have the right ingredient is kind of a big deal (ahem….cucumber vs zucchini!)
READ EXPIRATION DATES ON FOOD
We all have been in a position where we have had to throw out expired food items from our fridge or pantry. By teaching students how to read labels correctly to make sure they have fresh ingredients, they can ensure they are using supplies that are both tasty and safe for their cooking adventures! Here are some lessons you can use to help with promoting a better understanding of reading expiration dates in your classroom.
TIME MANAGEMENT
Working on time skills is also another important life skill students can practice while cooking. So many of my students struggle with the concept of time and knowing how long things take to cook. Although we work on concrete skills like setting a timer for a reminder, it is important for me to teach them about the generalized concepts of elapsed time too so they can have an idea of when to expect their meal to be ready. This particularly comes in handy when they are planning to eat by a certain time. You can find a ton of time lessons in this bundle below!
READING A RECIPE
So many of my students are creatures of habit. They usually eat the same stuff over and over again. By expanding their comfort zones and showing them the different ways foods can be prepared, you can enlighten their taste buds along the way. Here are some recipe worksheet ideas that come with comprehension questions as well!
INDEPENDENTLY REHEAT FOOD
A microwave is an essential tool in any kitchen. Learning how to use it properly is a game changer for many kiddos in a life skills classroom. At home, when students know how to use a microwave, they can do things like reheat their leftovers independently without an adult’s help. This significantly works to promote independence outside of the classroom. Here are some microwave lesson ideas!
PUT GROCERIES AWAY IN CORRECT SPOTS
Sorting groceries after a large grocery haul can be quite the task. By putting groceries away in their correct spots, students can learn important organization and food storage skills. Here are some lesson ideas you can use to simulate this important skill in your classroom.
HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES
When preparing food, many students are unaware about the nutritional aspect of the things they are eating. By taking the time to go over things like cholesterol, carbs, serving size, calories, and much more, students can learn to make more educated decisions when selecting meals.