theeverydayteach One of my favorite things about teaching Culinary or any “life skills” class is not only that we teach career-specific skills, but that we get to embed other core subjects into our curriculum. For example, kitchen math, recipe reading, food science, food service history… and more!
With the recent decline in literacy scores, many teachers have been tasked with teaching their own subject areas while continuing to grow and focus on student literacy. This could include incorporating more reading, vocabulary and content terminology, and key ideas into our everyday lessons. Through some trial and error, I have found a variety of activities that work for ALL students. Believe it or not, students ENJOY learning vocabulary when it’s done right!
Here is my list of the BEST Culinary Vocabulary Activities:
Puzzles + Terminology Sheets: Small group or partner activity
One of my absolute FAVORITE activities to do with my classes includes various vocabulary puzzles. Students match the vocabulary term with its corresponding description. We always make this a fun competition in my classes by timing each pair and writing the fastest puzzle solving times on the board!
I Have, Who Has: Large Group or Whole Class Activity
An oldie but goodie, “I have, who has” is sure to engage your entire classroom. Every student receives a card with a vocabulary word and definition. A student reads his/her definition at the bottom of the card – another student will have the vocabulary term that matches the definition. They read their matching term and continue the game by reading a new definition. Attention, memory, and word comprehension are all tested during this fun, classroom activity!
Vocabulary Squares: Individual Activity
A fusion of vocabulary recognition and mathematics, Vocabulary Squares can be challenging but a great review of terminology. Students receive anywhere from 16-20 terms and match the term with the correct definition. Each term is associated with a number that they will fill into the corresponding square. If they match the terms and definitions properly and place the correct numbers in the boxes, each row and column will add up to be the same “Mystery Number”.
Try some of these out and comment below how they worked within your classroom. I love hearing your overall thoughts, suggestions, and hearing what great vocabulary activities you do within your classrooms!
Emily