September is the start of a new school year. We think it is important for all students to be comfortable in the various learning environments. Good classroom management is key to successful interactive lessons; therefore, establishing routines and procedures is a worthwhile use of our first kitchen class.
Theme
Kitchen / Tastings
Subjects
Kitchen / Health
Learning Environment
Teaching Kitchen
Prep Time
None (this lesson was held on the same day as the first taste test and used the tasting prepared by Vanessa)
Grade
1st grade
Lesson Time
25 minutes
Role of Teacher
Run the lesson
Season
Fall
Materials
Ingredients: Tasting from cafeteria taste test
Background Info
- This lesson is the first time students are in the teaching kitchen. Use this time to set clear guidelines and expectations for how to act in this learning environment.
- Also used this lesson to model taste testing. Talked about how we react to taste tests, whether we like them or not, and used the “don’t yuck my yum” model for describing appropriate facial reactions and verbal responses.
Topics/Goals/Learning Objectives
- Students learn expectations for teaching kitchen.
- Students understand how to do a taste test.
Opening/Hook
Welcome to the kitchen 1st graders! We will be planning many exciting lessons up in the teaching kitchen this year, but in order for them to be successful, let us make sure that we all know what appropriate behavior in this space looks like. Can we think of some rules for the teaching kitchen?
- Respect each other, don’t touch unless told, sit on the stools with your bottom, keep an open mind, don’t yuck my yum, there are sharp and hot things in the kitchen! Pay attention to all instructions.
- Go over how to wash hands, where the stove is, where the oven is, etc.
We also have a taste test to do today! Taste tests are an opportunity for us to try new things. We know that not everybody likes or loves these new foods, but we always want to try. Why do you think it’s important that we give new foods a chance? What do you think would be an appropriate response if we love the tasting? What if it’s not our favorite?
- Create expectations for how to respond positively and negatively around tasting new food
The Plan/Procedure/Lesson Activities
Directions
- Welcome students to kitchen.
- Create kitchen expectations- go over rules and have students sign contract or give some sort of agreement sign.
- Go over tasting expectations- Talk about what students will be tasting that day and administer the tasting. Practice appropriate facial and verbal responses.
- Do a tasting of tomatoes or grapes (green and red) – Harvest of the Month.
- Have students vote on the tasting. Go over the three voting options: tried it, liked it, loved it. Practice having students raise their hands or come up and put a check mark next to the voting option that most meets their opinion.
Wrap up and Reflection
Finish up voting and have students model how to clean up the kitchen space.
Extensions/Adaptations/Game
Give students opportunity to practice using a knife- hand out butter or plastic knives to each student and go over the bear claw method. Have students cut their tasting.
