Paula Urquiola

Description

This cooking class is designed to teach 4th and 5th graders essential kitchen skills that they can use daily. Students will learn the basics of food preparation, kitchen safety, and healthy eating while building confidence and independence. The focus will be on practical life skills, such as making simple meals, preparing snacks, and understanding nutrition, rather than creating complex dishes or baked items. 

What Students will learn:

• Basic knife skills and safe food handling.

• How to read and follow a simple recipe.

• Measuring ingredients accurately.

• Cooking techniques like boiling, sautéing, and roasting.

• Preparing balanced meals and nutritious snacks.

• Cleaning up and maintaining an organized workspace.

Class Structure: 

• Introduction: Brief discussion on the day's topic (e.g., "Why is breakfast important?" or "How to stay safe in the kitchen").

• Demonstration: Demonstrates the recipe or skill of the day, such as how to chop vegetables, cook pasta, or make a sandwich.

• Hands-On Practice: Students work in small groups to prepare their dishes, with guidance from the instructor, emphasizing teamwork, following instructions, and creativity.

• Taste and Evaluate: Students enjoy their creations and discuss what they learned, what they liked, and how they could improve.

• Clean-Up: Teach responsibility by having students clean their stations and put away tools and ingredients.

Examples of Recipes:

• Simple salads or wraps.

• Fruit and veggie snack plates with dips.

• Easy breakfast dishes.

• Basic pasta or rice dishes.

Goals
By the end of the class, students will know how to prepare simple nutritious meals and snacks, along with key life skills like kitchen safety and teamwork.