We are master chefs that love learning how to prepare healthy foods all on our own but we don't have the necessary equipment in our Life Skills kitchen area to do so. Can you help?
I teach a Full-Time Special Education class of students identified with mental retardation in a public, low-income elementary school in Pennsylvania.
My students are enthusiastic learners who learn best with hands-on activities. An important goal I have for my students is to learn the necessary skills to live as independently as possible. We spend time in our kitchen area practicing the skills of following directions, cooperation and teamwork, basic cooking and food preparation skills, proper dining etiquette, and cleaning skills.
My Project
Currently, the kitchen area is a hodge-podge of cooking and dining equipment. Often, I have to bring in my own cookware and bakeware from home so we can complete more challenging activities. If the kitchen was stocked with the appropriate utensils and cooking equipment, it would give my students more opportunities to practice the daily living skills that they need. We are planning to prepare a Thanksgiving feast to share with our fellow students in other classes. With new flatware, dishes, and glasses, we could all sit together and share this lovely meal. I can so easily envision the pride bursting from my students as they see their efforts in the kitchen rewarded with this big event.
Working with these special children is something I enjoy everyday and I am always looking for ways to improve my instruction.
With the proper materials, I know my students will learn and improve their daily living skills while continuing to practice cooperation with their classmates. While a focus of our program is teaching the skills for independence, we also focus our cooking lessons on nutrition so the children can begin to make the choices necessary for healthy living.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Ridge and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.