When performing classroom cooking activities with third through fifth graders, the teacher should spend some time discussing safety. Children should pull back long hair, stay away from sharp or hot objects, wear oven mitts, walk instead of run and keep flammable items, including paper towels and long sleeves, away from the stove top or oven when it's on. Advise them to hold pot handles with pot holders if they are stirring the contents. Students should keep the kitchen free of obstructions by closing drawers and cabinets. Additionally, they need to clean up debris and spills immediately. When using knives, students should hold them properly and cut items under the teacher's watchful eye. Encourage students to wash their hands and keep the kitchen clean so germs do not get transferred when sharing food.
Using recipes to cook gives students the opportunity to reinforce their math and reading skills. Consider protecting the recipe by covering it with a piece of plastic wrap so it does not get splattered. Tell students to read the recipe completely and make sure that they have all the ingredients for beginning to cook. Remind students that it is important to follow the directions precisely or the recipe may not turn out properly. Most recipes require students to preheat the oven, so students should turn it on before they start to prepare the recipe. This ensures the oven will be at the desired temperature by the time the food is ready for the oven. When students measure ingredients, they should use the right technique. Scoop dry ingredients into a measuring cup and use a knife to carefully level off any excess amounts. Wet ingredients should be poured into a measuring cup placed on a level surface. When cutting, students should place items on a level cutting board.
Cooking with children, especially when you have a specific class period in which to do so, requires careful organization. Divide the children into small groups so everyone has a chance to participate in the activity. Provide ingredients, bowls, bake-ware and utensils to each group so that children will be able to complete their tasks quickly. Choose recipes with short cooking times so children can eat their creations after they clean up. For example, funnel cake takes about five minutes to cook, and pancakes take 10 minutes or less.
Teachers can discuss the nutrition of items the children cook and can brainstorm ways to make the recipe healthier. Additionally, cooking involves students' math skills in terms of measurements, from fractions to doubling recipes. For example, encourage students to notice recipe yields and the number of serving portions. Review why this information may be important. If children are making bread or combining ingredients that react in a unique manner, cooking can be tied to a science class to create a memorable learning experience.