Cooking in the Classroom

The smell of pancakes, a taste of banana pudding, and a splash of salsa—these are just a few of the foods we have made in our classroom over my three years at Trinity. What started as a simple idea—cooking through the alphabet—has grown into something bigger than I could have ever imagined. Giving students the freedom to take part in their culinary creations has been a joyful and enriching experience.

When most people think of cooking in the classroom, they imagine simple, no-cook recipes. However, thanks to TCA grants, our PreK-4 lunchroom is fully equipped to handle real cooking experiences. From making rice on the hot plate and baking breakfast rolls in the oven to flipping pancakes on the griddle—we can do it all.

Cooking is more than just a fun activity; it builds essential skills that help set a strong foundation for future learning:

Most importantly, cooking in the classroom builds confidence. Students learn that mistakes are part of the process and that experimentation leads to discovery. As Ms. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus famously says: "Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!"

Over the past three years, bringing cooking into the classroom has been a rewarding experience. It has provided my students with meaningful, hands-on learning while creating lasting memories—and a few delicious treats along the way!