Kindergartners can cook when high schoolers teach

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. — Klamath Union’s culinary arts kitchen became a kindergarten classroom Jan. 23, when Mills Elementary teacher Alissa Cruz brought her five- and six-year-olds for a cooking lesson with KU’s Child Development students, taught by Family and Consumer Sciences teacher Rhiannon Kerr.  

Kerr's students designed the curriculum, prepared the classroom and became teachers for the day. They worked in pairs with the kindergarteners to make Ugly Dumplings (refrigerator biscuits filled with fruit) while teaching kitchen safety and fun facts about apples and pears. They read stories and sang songs with the children as the dumplings baked.

While the kindergartners learned about food and cooking, the high schoolers gained hands-on experience applying child development concepts learned in the classroom.

“Everyone will interact with small children throughout their lifetime, and these students have the tools to ensure these interactions are purposeful, fun, and inspiring,” said Kerr. “Hopefully this experience gave them the courage to cook with young children, the skills to bake a delicious healthy snack, and the confidence to play.”

The pilot event was conceived last year, when Cruz competed as a chef in KU’s “King of the Kitchen” cooking contest. Kerr hopes it is the first of many collaborative events.

“It was very wonderful to see the KU and Mills students mixing it up in class,” said KU Principal Tony Swan. “The elementary kids love learning and life. What a great collaboration.”