Inquiry-based project for learning

the basics of cooking and baking

Inquiry-Based Learning:
Project Approach
Inquiry-based curriculum and learning is important so that
our young students can learn about what interests them.
This is a great way to foster learning and develop a love of
learning in our students.
1he ro[ecL Approach refers Lo a seL of Leachlng sLraLegles LhaL
enable teachers to guide students through in-depth studies of real-
world Loplcs," (The Project Approach, n.d., Par. 2). These teaching
strategies have proven very affective in engaging students and
making them active learners. Active learning is very important and
will help our students to retain the information better.
When Leachers lmplemenL Lhe Approach successfully, sLudenLs feel hlghly
motivated and actively involved in their own learning, leading them to produce
high-quallLy work and Lo grow as lndlvlduals and collaboraLors," (The Project
Approach, n.d., Par. 2). Teaching our students to work together and learn
together is important because it is a skill we will need all our lives.
Kitchen Basics
Learning the basics of how to cook and bake, and even
getting hands-on experience makes for a fun filled lesson
LhaL Lhe sLudenLs are eager Lo sLarL. WhaL klds donL love
fresh baked cookies, cakes, and all sorts of other delicious
foods?

Learning how to cook and bake are two life-long skills
that sadly do not get enough attention in our schools
Loday. ln Lodays classrooms of dlrecL lnsLrucLlon and
test after test, some important life skills are over-
looked.
When students show an interest in something, like dogs, insects, the weather, or
like this project, cooking and baking, we should encourage our students to learn as
much as they can about the topic. The Project Approach is an excellent way to help
our students do this. We can help our students to not only learn the basics about
baking and cooking, but also important things to remember such as checking for
allergies, how to find recipes, and also the business side, such as restaurants and
delicatessens.
What we know
When starting a project, we must first find out what
the students already know about the topic and if
they have any past experiences that would be
beneficial to the learning.
The teacher can do this by asking questions,
initiating a class discussion, or by separating the
students into smaller groups to answer questions
about the topic. A concept map, like the one
below, is a good way to record what students
already know.
Fun in the Kitchen:
Cooking and Baking
Cookies are
delicious
Baking is just
following
instructions
Homemade food is
usually healthier
than fast-food
Kitchen safety
is important
What we want/need to
know about cooking
Before starting on a project like this, there are some
topics that must be covered first, like safety and proper
hygiene. Kitchen safety is important so our students do
not hurt themselves or others, and hygiene is important
so that we do not contaminate the food.
After covering these topics, we can then find out what our students want to learn. To do this,
we should ask questions and keep a record of these questions so that we can answer them as
Lhey come up. MosL quesLlons would be llke Pow do l make " or WhaL would happen lf
". lLs lmporLanL LhaL we ask Lhese quesLlons because lnqulry-based learning allows students
to learn about their interests, and these questions show us what our students want to learn.
We want our students to be excited about the project so that they apply themselves. This
way the knowledge they gain will last them a life-time.
Sample Questions:
How do I make peanut-butter cookies? How do I make a chocolate cake?
What would happen if I used too much flour? How do I crack an egg?
How do I measure the ingredients? How do I convert measurements?
Research
After we cover what the students already know, and
what they want/need to know, we can move on to the
next step, which is the learning.
We can conduct research a number of ways, using both
primary sources and secondary sources. Guest speakers
and field trips are great ways to learn more about a
topic. Cookbooks, online recipe databases, and cooking
videos will also provide a lot of helpful information.
Guest Speakers
and Field Trips
Inviting guest speakers to your class is a great way to
learn more about cooking and baking. We can invite
local bakery and restaurant workers. The school kitchen
staff would also be able to provide lots of important
information, as well as a tour of the school kitchen.
Field trips are another great way for your students to
gain first-hand knowledge about the topic. We could
Lour Lhe schools klLchen and vlslL local bakerles and
restaurants.
Cookbooks, Online Resources,
and Apple/Droid Applications
There are many types of secondary sources that can be used
to help students learn about a topic.

We can use cookbooks or online recipe databases to find new
recipes, and instructions on how to prepare the food.

Youtube videos are another great way to learn, students can
watch people cooking or how-to videos on cooking/baking
basics.

Plus, there are plenty of Droid and Apple applications that
can help as well, like cooking games, or even a kitchen timer.
Applying Knowledge and
the Finished Results
The last step in a project is to apply the knowledge the
students gained and to do a culminating project, like bake
cookies or make a pizza. Another culminating project could
be to set up a school bake sale, and sell the treats the
students have made to raise money for a class party. This
would be the students very excited and they would fully
engage in the activity. These projects demonstrate that the
students have gained the knowledge sought forth in the
project and that they can move on to something harder,
like making a cheesecake or cooking a dinner.
References
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Bakery worker [Photograph]. (n.d.). Retrieved from
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Baking supplies [Illustration]. (2011). Retrieved from http://whatsdoingtampabay.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/cooking-clip-art.jpg
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Estes,LA., Krogh, S. (2012). Pathways to teaching young children: An introduction to early childhood education. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint
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Kids in the kitchen [Photograph]. (2011). Retrieved from
http://disabilitiesnews.blogspot.com/2011/11/students-sharpen-life-skills-in-kitchen.html
Kids making pizza [Photograph]. (2011). Retrieved from http://static.eatwell101.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Cooking-Classes-For-Kids-
Culinary-Courses-Children-Children-Cooking-Training.jpg
Kitchen safety [Photograph]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://cmsimg.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=G1&Date=20130703&
Category= LIFESTYLE&ArtNo=307030003&Ref=V1&MaxW=300&Border=0&Budding-chefs-Kids-learn-lifelong-skills-summer-cooking-
class
Kitchen worker [Photograph]. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.foodsafetynews.com/files/2013/02/FoodWorkerKitchenMain.jpg
Making omelets [Photograph]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.fcoefoundation.org/sites/fcoefoundation.org/files/styles/
case_study_main/public/case-study-images/MonroeCooking.jpg?itok=XeeBI0Jo
Pre-kindergarten classroom [Photograph]. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.stphilipelc.org/wp-content/gallery/facility/pre-kindergarten-classroom.jpg
Recipe book [Photograph]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/images/recipe_book.gif
Spark recipes [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.applatter.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Healthy-Recipes-App-by-Spark-
Recipes.jpg
The Project Approach. (n.d.). Project approach. Retrieved February 9, 2014, from http://www.projectapproach.org/project_approach.php