Making Education EdibleJenn Hamrick
Cooking and eating are multi-sensory events you want to incorporate into your homeschool. The more senses you engage in learning, the higher the level of retention, especially for kinesthetic learners.
When you add food-based learning experiences, not only does retention go up, but motivation increases too! We all love to eat, and food can add a positive element to your homeschool lessons in nearly every subject.
Watch the video embedded here for Tyler Hogan’s suggestions or read the outline below.
Food Fits With Academics
Culturally and historically accurate recipes provide an immersion into history, literature, and geography. For example, when Tyler was a child, his homeschool group held an Ancient Greek Feast to coincide with a study of the Olympics. To this day, he still remembers the sports and the dishes — some delicious and others not so yummy.
Cook your way around the world or through the 50 States of America with recipes. Recruit your children in the process of researching, shopping, preparing, and of course eating.
Food Makes a Great Reward
Spelling words, math sheets, flashcards, and any other topic that involves memorization can be made more fun by adding small edible rewards such as marshmallows or chocolate chips. There’s a difference between rewards and bribery, and offering a small treat after the completion of a rote task is okay!
The Kitchen is Perfect Place to Experience Math
Cooking provides the perfect combination of learning opportunities:
- practical math
- algebraic calculations
- unit pricing
Edible Models and Maps Bring Learning into 3D
Making 3D models out of edible materials is fun! And clean up becomes much easier when the glue can be licked off fingers. Here are a few ideas:
- cookie dough maps of states, countries, regions, ecosystems, and biomes
- 3-D model of cells using gelatin and other foodstuffs
- gingerbread models of pyramids, Solomon’s temple, or Jamestown’s stockade
See other homeschool hangout videos on the Bright Ideas Press YouTube channel.