Cook & Connect: Stories from the Heart

6th Grade

Project
12 weeks

Cook & Connect: Stories from the Heart

Ka'dee Comerford

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to empower 6th-grade students to explore cooking as a means of connecting with their community and cultural heritage, while addressing social justice through partnerships with volunteer food kitchens and food banks. By collaborating with local chefs, parents, and media arts partners, students will learn to prepare traditional dishes, understand sustainable food practices, and create digital content that shares cultural stories. This project fosters a sense of belonging and community, encouraging students to feed for a cause and utilize outdoor spaces when possible. Through public exhibitions and digital platforms, students will celebrate diversity and contribute to their community's culinary and cultural landscape.

Learning goals

Students will develop skills in collaboration, cultural understanding, and digital storytelling by working with community partners to explore and document traditional dishes. They will enhance their knowledge of sustainable practices through hands-on cooking experiences using locally sourced ingredients, while also learning about social justice by partnering with volunteer food kitchens and food banks to address community needs. Additionally, students will strengthen their media arts skills by creating video content that shares cultural narratives and cooking processes. This project aims to foster a sense of belonging and appreciation for diverse cultures, encourage feeding for a cause, and utilize outdoor spaces when possible, while enhancing students' abilities to communicate and present their findings in a public forum.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.RP.A.3: Use ratio and rate reasoning to solve real-world and mathematical problems, including those involving cooking measurements and conversions.
NGSS - MS-LS2-5: Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services, relevant to sourcing sustainable ingredients and understanding local food systems.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.4: Present claims and findings, sequencing ideas logically and using pertinent descriptions, facts, and details to accentuate main ideas or themes, applicable to sharing cultural narratives and cooking demonstrations.

Products

Students will create a YouTube channel featuring cooking tutorials and cultural documentaries that highlight the significance of each dish, sustainable practices, and social justice themes. They will compile a multimedia presentation for the Farm-to-Table Celebration Day, explaining sustainable practices and sharing cultural narratives through videos and digital storytelling. Additionally, students will develop a digital cookbook that includes recipes from diverse cultures, enriched with personal stories and cultural insights gathered from community partners and parents, and incorporate elements of feeding for a cause by partnering with volunteer food kitchens and food banks.

Launch

Begin the project with a 'Cooking for a Cause Launch,' where students partner with local volunteer food kitchens and food banks to prepare meals for those in need. Collaborate with community chefs and parents to demonstrate cooking techniques using locally sourced ingredients in outdoor spaces when possible. This hands-on experience introduces students to social justice concepts and the importance of community support, while also setting the foundation for exploring cultural narratives and sustainable practices.

Exhibition

Students will host a 'Farm-to-Table Celebration Day' at a local farmers' market, featuring cooking demonstrations with locally sourced ingredients and discussions on sustainable practices, all while highlighting cultural narratives through digital portfolios. Additionally, a 'Community Feast and Storytelling Night' will invite community members to enjoy meals prepared by students, accompanied by video documentaries on the cultural significance of each dish. These events will partner with volunteer food kitchens and food banks to emphasize social justice, feeding for a cause, and utilizing outdoor spaces to foster community engagement and cultural appreciation.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2
Activities	Project Introduction and Essential Question Exploration - Introduce the project, discuss the essential questions, and brainstorm what students already know about the intersection of cooking, culture, and community (20 min) Community Cooking Challenge Brainstorm - Facilitate a discussion with students to generate ideas for the 'Community Chef Challenge' and identify potential community partners and cultural dishes of interest (40 min) Cooking Safety and Hygiene Basics - Teach essential cooking safety and hygiene practices to ensure students are prepared for hands-on activities in future sessions (30 min)	Meet the Community Partners - Introduce students to community partners from local food banks and volunteer kitchens via a virtual or in-person meeting, and discuss the significance of cooking for a cause (30 min) Cultural Cooking Kickoff Introduction - Launch the 'Cultural Cooking Kickoff' by discussing its goals and exploring the first cultural dish to be prepared next week (20 min) Digital Media Arts Exploration - Begin exploring digital media tools and techniques that students will use to document their cooking experiences and cultural narratives (40 min)
Deliverables	1. Create a plan for the YouTube channel, outlining potential video topics and cultural stories to be shared throughout the project. 2. Compile a list of community partners, including chefs, parents, and media arts organizations, who will participate in the project and support student learning.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with local volunteer food kitchens and food banks to establish partnerships and schedule cooking sessions for the 'Cooking for a Cause Launch' event. 2. Source fresh, local ingredients from nearby farms or markets to be used in cooking activities. 3. Invite community chefs and parents to participate in the launch event and share their expertise with students. 4. Provide students with recording equipment and access to digital tools for capturing interviews and documenting cooking processes. 5. Set up outdoor cooking spaces if possible, ensuring they are equipped with necessary cooking tools and safety measures.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2
Activities	Traditional Recipe Research - Students research traditional recipes from their chosen culture, focusing on ingredients and cooking techniques, and identify sustainable practices with community partners (30 min) Ingredient Sourcing Exploration - Facilitate a discussion on sourcing ingredients locally, considering sustainability and community impact, with input from local farmers' market representatives (30 min) Media Arts Planning Session - Students plan out how they will document their cooking process and cultural narrative using digital media, creating storyboards and outlines (30 min)	Outdoor Cooking Setup and Safety - Teach students how to set up an outdoor cooking space safely and efficiently, incorporating hygiene practices learned previously (30 min) Cultural Cooking Kickoff: First Dish Preparation - In collaboration with community partners, students begin preparing their first cultural dish, applying research and ingredient sourcing insights (40 min) Reflection and Digital Story Sharing - Students reflect on the cooking experience and begin drafting their digital story, highlighting cultural significance and sustainable practices (20 min)
Deliverables	1. A research report on local food insecurity and community needs, including potential solutions through cooking. 2. A collaborative proposal for how the cooking project can support a local food bank, including recipe ideas and logistical considerations. 3. An initial draft of a culturally inspired recipe adapted for community cooking, complete with ingredient list and preparation steps. 4. Notes and reflections from the farmers' market visit, highlighting sustainable practices and potential ingredient sources. 5. A digital storyboard draft outlining the cultural narrative and sustainable practices for the cooking documentary.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with a local food bank or volunteer kitchen to arrange a visit and discussion session with students. 2. Organize transportation and permission slips for the farmers' market visit, ensuring students have access to necessary materials for interviews. 3. Provide digital tools and templates for students to begin their storyboard drafts, including access to media arts resources. 4. Prepare materials on food insecurity and how community cooking initiatives can help, including case studies or examples from other communities. 5. Arrange guest speakers from the local farmers' market or sustainable food organizations to discuss sustainable practices with students.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2
Activities	Sustainable Cooking Practices Exploration - Facilitate a discussion on sustainable cooking practices and their importance, with input from community partners (30 min) Local Ingredients Scavenger Hunt - Organize an outdoor scavenger hunt at a local farmers' market to identify and gather ingredients for upcoming recipes, emphasizing sustainability (40 min) Digital Storyboard Workshop - Guide students in refining their storyboards for digital storytelling, ensuring cultural narratives are accurately represented (20 min)	Cooking for a Cause Planning - Collaborate with students to plan a meal for local volunteer food kitchens, considering ingredient sourcing and cultural relevance (30 min) Cultural Cooking Kickoff: Second Dish Preparation - In collaboration with community partners, students prepare their second cultural dish, focusing on sustainable practices and cultural significance (40 min) Recipe Storytelling Drafting - Encourage students to draft their cultural narrative, incorporating personal reflections and community insights gathered during cooking (20 min)
Deliverables	1. Submit a draft of the digital cookbook section, including the recipe recreated and its cultural significance. 2. Create a short video documenting the cooking process and the cultural narrative of the dish.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with a local chef for the cooking demonstration and cultural storytelling. 2. Gather materials and ingredients needed for the cooking activity, ensuring they are locally sourced if possible. 3. Provide video equipment and resources for students to learn basic video production techniques. 4. Prepare guidelines for writing cultural narratives to be included in the digital cookbook.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2
Activities	Cooking Measurement and Conversion Workshop - Students practice using ratio and rate reasoning to convert measurements for recipes, applying CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.RP.A.3 (30 min) Exploring Cultural Narratives - Students research and share stories behind traditional dishes from different cultures, focusing on cultural significance and heritage (30 min) Digital Media Storyboarding - Students create detailed storyboards for their video documentaries, incorporating cultural narratives and cooking procedures (30 min)	Outdoor Cooking Safety Review - Review safety protocols for outdoor cooking with students, ensuring readiness for hands-on activities (20 min) Cultural Cooking Kickoff: Second Dish Preparation - Students prepare a second cultural dish outdoors, collaborating with community partners and incorporating sustainable practices (50 min) Reflection and Feedback Session - Students reflect on their cooking experiences, share insights, and receive peer feedback to enhance their digital storytelling (20 min)
Deliverables	1. A researched and written recipe for a meal that could be shared with a volunteer food kitchen or food bank. 2. Photos and video clips documenting the cooking process and group reflections on the experience of addressing food insecurity.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with a local food bank or volunteer kitchen to have a guest speaker visit the class. 2. Gather materials such as laptops or tablets for research and writing. 3. Ensure access to an outdoor cooking area, including necessary cooking equipment and safety supplies. 4. Procure ingredients for the cooking session, prioritizing those that can be locally sourced. 5. Prepare digital cameras or smartphones for students to document their cooking process.

Week 5	Day 1	Day 2
Activities	Community Partnership Exploration - Discuss with students the importance of community partnerships and the role of volunteer food kitchens and food banks in addressing social justice issues (30 min) Outdoor Cooking Demonstration Planning - Plan an outdoor cooking demonstration with students, focusing on utilizing locally sourced ingredients and sustainable practices, while considering how to address community needs (30 min) Digital Content Creation Workshop - Guide students in developing digital content for their YouTube channel, focusing on the storytelling aspect of community partnerships and cultural narratives (30 min)	Cooking for a Cause Strategy Session - Collaborate with students to strategize how their cooking efforts can support local volunteer food kitchens and food banks, incorporating cultural dishes and social justice themes (30 min) Cultural Cooking Kickoff: Third Dish Preparation - Work with community partners to prepare the third cultural dish, integrating sustainable practices and cultural narratives into the cooking process (40 min) Digital Storytelling Refinement - Assist students in refining their digital storytelling projects, ensuring that cultural narratives and community partnership insights are effectively communicated (20 min)
Deliverables	1. A short video segment showcasing the outdoor cooking session and the preparation of the dish, highlighting the theme of 'feeding for a cause.' 2. A written reflection piece from each student on their learning experience and how they can apply these lessons to future community-focused projects.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with a local food bank to establish a partnership and schedule a drop-off for the prepared meals. 2. Gather necessary cooking equipment and ingredients for the outdoor session, ensuring they are suitable for the chosen dish and can be easily transported to the food bank. 3. Arrange for digital media tools, such as cameras or tablets, to document the cooking process and gather footage for the video segment. 4. Prepare discussion prompts and reflection questions to guide the reflection session and encourage meaningful student engagement.

Week 6	Day 1	Day 2
Activities	Sustainable Cooking Practices Deep Dive - Explore advanced sustainable cooking methods and discuss their impact on local ecosystems, with community partner insights (30 min) Outdoor Cooking Demonstration Preparation - Plan logistics and roles for an outdoor cooking demonstration, focusing on utilizing locally sourced ingredients (30 min) Digital Storytelling Enhancement Workshop - Refine digital storytelling skills, integrating advanced media arts techniques to enhance cultural narratives (30 min)	Cooking for a Cause Collaboration - Partner with local food banks to strategize how prepared meals can support community needs, emphasizing social justice themes (30 min) Cultural Cooking Kickoff: Fourth Dish Preparation - Collaborate with community partners to prepare a fourth cultural dish outdoors, integrating sustainable practices and cultural stories (40 min) Peer Review and Reflection Session - Conduct peer reviews of digital storytelling projects, offering constructive feedback to ensure cultural narratives are effectively communicated (20 min)
Deliverables	1. A video documentation of the farmers' market visit and cooking session, highlighting sustainable practices and cultural narratives of the dish. Students will work in pairs to create short clips that can be compiled into a class video to be uploaded to their YouTube channel. 2. A written reflection or digital journal entry by each student, capturing their personal insights on the importance of sourcing locally and the cultural story of the dish prepared.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with the local farmers' market to arrange a guided tour, ensuring students have the opportunity to interact with vendors and learn about sustainable practices. 2. Gather necessary cooking equipment for the outdoor cooking session, ensuring all safety measures and sanitation protocols are in place. 3. Prepare digital devices, such as tablets or cameras, for students to document their experiences at the market and during the cooking session. 4. Invite a representative from a local food kitchen to participate in the cooking session, facilitating a discussion on social justice and community support.

Week 7	Day 1	Day 2
Activities	Digital Storytelling Enhancement - Guide students in integrating feedback from peers to enhance their digital projects, focusing on clear cultural narratives and sustainable practices (30 min) Outdoor Cooking Showcase Planning - Collaborate with students to plan an outdoor cooking demonstration, assigning roles and responsibilities, and ensuring logistics are in place (30 min) Cooking for a Cause Menu Development - Work with students to develop a menu that combines cultural dishes with ingredients sourced from local partners, emphasizing feeding for a cause (30 min)	Community Partnership Engagement - Facilitate a session where students communicate with community partners to finalize plans for the cooking demonstration and gather insights on social justice themes (30 min) Cultural Cooking Kickoff: Fifth Dish Preparation - Collaborate with community partners to prepare a fifth cultural dish, focusing on storytelling and sustainable practices during the process (40 min) Reflection and Final Story Drafting - Guide students in reflecting on their cooking experiences and drafting final versions of their digital stories, ensuring alignment with project goals (20 min)
Deliverables	1. A short video documenting the journey of a local ingredient and its role in sustainable practices, to be uploaded to the class YouTube channel. 2. A written reflection on the experience of cooking for a cause and its significance in addressing food insecurity.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with a local volunteer food kitchen to schedule the cooking session and discuss the logistics of student involvement. 2. Gather information on local farms and sustainable practices related to the selected ingredients for student research. 3. Prepare video recording equipment and ensure students have access to digital storytelling tools for creating their videos. 4. Organize transportation and permissions for the outdoor cooking session at a designated location, ensuring all safety protocols are in place.

Week 8	Day 1	Day 2
Activities	Digital Media Arts Skill Building - Enhance video editing skills with guidance from media arts partners, focusing on incorporating cultural stories and sustainable practices into final projects (30 min) Outdoor Cooking Rehearsal - Conduct a full rehearsal of the outdoor cooking demonstration planned for the Farm-to-Table Celebration Day, ensuring all logistics and roles are clear (40 min) Reflective Story Enhancement - Encourage students to refine their digital stories based on peer and mentor feedback, ensuring cultural narratives and sustainability are emphasized (20 min)	Community Engagement Strategy - Collaborate with community partners to finalize strategies for engaging attendees at the upcoming Community Feast and Storytelling Night, highlighting social justice themes (30 min) Cultural Cooking Kickoff: Sixth Dish Preparation - Prepare a sixth cultural dish with a focus on storytelling through cooking, using locally sourced ingredients and sustainable practices (40 min) Final Digital Story Review - Conduct a final review session for digital stories, ensuring alignment with project goals and readiness for public exhibition (20 min)
Deliverables	1. Students will submit a written or recorded interview documenting the cultural story behind a chosen dish, to be included in their digital portfolio. 2. Students will prepare and donate meals to a local volunteer food kitchen or food bank as part of their 'Cooking for a Cause' initiative.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with local food kitchens or food banks to arrange meal donations and ensure dietary needs are met. 2. Collect and prepare the necessary ingredients and cooking equipment for the outdoor cooking session. 3. Provide guidance on conducting interviews, including a list of potential questions and tips for effective storytelling. 4. Ensure media arts equipment is available for students to record and document their interviews.

Week 9	Day 1	Day 2
Activities	Digital Storytelling Finalization - Guide students in finalizing their digital storytelling projects, focusing on clear cultural narratives and sustainable practices (30 min) Outdoor Cooking Showcase Final Planning - Collaborate with students to finalize logistics and roles for the outdoor cooking demonstration, ensuring all equipment and ingredients are ready (30 min) Social Justice Cooking Strategy - Facilitate a discussion on integrating social justice themes into the cooking demonstration, highlighting partnerships with volunteer food kitchens and food banks (30 min)	Community Engagement Rehearsal - Conduct a rehearsal for engaging community members during the upcoming Community Feast and Storytelling Night, emphasizing cultural narratives and social justice themes (30 min) Cultural Cooking Kickoff: Seventh Dish Preparation - Collaborate with community partners to prepare a seventh cultural dish, focusing on storytelling through cooking and sustainable practices (40 min) Reflective Story Sharing - Guide students in sharing reflections on their cooking experiences and how they have addressed community needs through their projects (20 min)
Deliverables	1. Complete and submit a draft of the video documentary, including footage from the cooking session and the farmer's presentation, with narratives about sustainable practices and cultural significance. 2. Create a section of content for the digital cookbook that includes the recipe prepared, along with cultural stories and insights gathered.
Preparation	1. Arrange a visit from a local farmer to discuss sustainable farming practices and supply ingredients for the cooking session. 2. Ensure availability of cooking equipment and outdoor space for the cooking session. 3. Provide video cameras and editing software for students to document and edit their cooking process. 4. Compile cultural stories and narratives collected from previous weeks to integrate into the cookbook and video documentaries.

Week 10	Day 1	Day 2
Activities	Digital Storytelling Finalization - Guide students in finalizing their digital stories, ensuring cultural narratives, sustainable practices, and social justice themes are effectively communicated (30 min) Outdoor Cooking Rehearsal and Feedback - Conduct a rehearsal of the cooking demonstration planned for the Farm-to-Table Celebration Day, focusing on logistics and storytelling, followed by peer feedback (40 min) Community Engagement Role Play - Engage students in role-playing scenarios to practice interacting with community members during the upcoming events, emphasizing the importance of cultural narratives and social justice (20 min)	Final Digital Content Review - Conduct a comprehensive review of all digital content, ensuring readiness for public exhibition on the YouTube channel and during community events (30 min) Cultural Cooking Kickoff: Seventh Dish Preparation - Collaborate with community partners to prepare a seventh cultural dish, integrating storytelling, locally sourced ingredients, and sustainable practices (40 min) Reflection and Exhibition Preparation - Guide students in reflecting on their learning journey and preparing for their roles in the upcoming exhibitions, focusing on clear communication of cultural narratives and project goals (20 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed digital cookbook draft with recipes and cultural stories ready for final review. 2. Edited video segments highlighting cooking demonstrations and cultural narratives, prepared for inclusion in the YouTube channel.
Preparation	1. Procure necessary filming equipment, such as cameras and microphones, for recording cooking demonstrations. 2. Gather locally sourced ingredients for the cooking demonstrations and partnership activities with food kitchens. 3. Coordinate schedules with community partners and volunteer food kitchens to ensure collaboration and participation in cooking activities. 4. Prepare outdoor cooking spaces if weather permits, ensuring safety and accessibility for all students.

Week 11	Day 1	Day 2
Activities	Final Digital Story Enhancements - Guide students in polishing their digital stories, focusing on clarity of cultural narratives and the incorporation of sustainable practices (30 min) Outdoor Cooking Exhibition Rehearsal - Conduct a final rehearsal of the outdoor cooking demonstration, ensuring all roles and logistics are clear for the Farm-to-Table Celebration Day (40 min) Community Engagement Strategy Refinement - Collaborate with students to refine strategies for engaging community members during the exhibition, highlighting social justice themes and partnerships (20 min)	Cultural Cooking Kickoff: Eighth Dish Preparation - Partner with community members to prepare an eighth cultural dish, emphasizing storytelling, sustainability, and community impact (40 min) Collaborative Reflection and Feedback - Facilitate a session for students to share their cooking experiences and receive feedback, focusing on addressing community needs and personal growth (30 min) Final Exhibition Planning - Finalize all exhibition details, including digital story presentations and cooking demonstrations, to ensure readiness for public showcase and engagement (20 min)
Deliverables	1. Finalized digital videos showcasing the cooking process and cultural narratives. 2. Presentation scripts that detail the dish's cultural significance and social justice aspects. 3. A finalized plan for the Community Feast and Storytelling Night, including logistics and roles.
Preparation	1. Arrange access to the school’s kitchen and outdoor cooking spaces for practice sessions. 2. Ensure all necessary video recording equipment is available and functioning. 3. Coordinate with community partners to schedule meetings and confirm participation in the Community Feast. 4. Prepare ingredients and materials necessary for the cooking demonstration, ensuring they align with sustainable and local sourcing practices.

Week 12	Day 1	Day 2
Activities	Final Digital Story Presentation - Guide students in presenting their digital stories to the class, focusing on cultural narratives, sustainable practices, and social justice themes (30 min) Outdoor Cooking Demonstration Setup - Assist students in setting up the outdoor cooking space for the Farm-to-Table Celebration Day, ensuring all equipment and ingredients are prepared (30 min) Community Engagement Rehearsal - Conduct a rehearsal for engaging community members during the Farm-to-Table Celebration Day, emphasizing storytelling and the importance of feeding for a cause (30 min)	Farm-to-Table Celebration Day - Host the outdoor cooking demonstration at the local farmers' market, showcasing students' cooking skills, cultural stories, and sustainable practices to the community (60 min) Community Feast and Storytelling Night Preparation - Guide students in preparing for the evening event, ensuring readiness for sharing video documentaries and cultural narratives (30 min)
Deliverables	1. Complete digital cookbook with recipes and cultural narratives. 2. Final video documentaries uploaded to the YouTube channel. 3. Presentation materials for the 'Farm-to-Table Celebration Day.'
Preparation	1. Arrange logistics for the 'Farm-to-Table Celebration Day' at the local farmers' market, including setting up cooking stations and coordinating with vendors for ingredients. 2. Ensure video equipment is available and functioning for filming final documentaries and presentations. 3. Prepare invitations and marketing materials for the 'Community Feast and Storytelling Night' to maximize community attendance. 4. Coordinate with volunteer food kitchens and food banks for any necessary partnerships for the 'Community Feast and Storytelling Night.' 5. Gather feedback forms for community members to provide input on the event and student presentations.