In Spring 2024, the Nutrition Education Program Assistant was blessed to teach two homeschool classes, one with ages Preschool to Third Grade and the second with 13-year-old students. The first class focused on Serving MyPlate curriculum, with additional focus on learning some basic cooking skills like measuring. We used beads to practice measuring and grasp an understanding of the fractions associated with measurement.

With the older students, we went through the Teen Cuisine coursework, learning nutrient breakdowns, healthy substitutions, and food safety, including knife skills and more. 

Both groups had a large percentage of students with dietary challenges like dairy, gluten and nut allergies. We made pancakes with gluten-free flour and dairy-free yogurt and they were excellent. Also included were students with social anxiety challenges we were able to address in such a small group, building that relationship and stretching all of our brains as we cooked together.

As a result of each of these classes, students learned more about general nutrition, food safety and tried foods they wouldn't have usually tried. It was a blast for teachers and students alike.