As students prepare to make a representative dish of the four countries of choice (Tunisia, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Nigeria), they also learn about the countries' culture, history, geography, economy, and more through interactive PowerPoints. They are invited to do art activities, listen to music, learn the greetings of the local language, and do other interactive activities.

Through cooking, students practice measuring skills important to math development and key literacy skills regarding following directions. More importantly, however, cooking is an important life skill and sharing a meal as a family, in particular a special one that was prepared together, brings families closer together. Beyond academic learning, the sharing amongst family and friends in the culture kitchen is invaluable.

While learning about Nigeria (unlike with the other three countries), it is up to the students to prepare their own PowerPoint to present to their families. Students practice 21st Century skills, including information literacy, technology literacy, and communicating.

Course Objectives:

Students will:

• develop an appreciation for foods outside of their norm
• engage in risk-taking, trying unfamiliar foods with unfamiliar flavor profiles
• share in a culinary learning experience with their families
• practice key 21st century skills, such as information and technology literacy and communication
• research independently, practicing reading non-fiction for understanding
• learn key information about four African countries from different parts of the continent (North, South, East, and West)
• practice following directions (as in reading and following a written recipe)
• measure with different units, including tablespoons, cups, and milliliters
• convert measurements to different units using ratios
• share in appreciating art and music from different African nations, broadening their understanding of culture
• understand that history shapes the present and the culture of a nation
• apply currency exchange rates to compare and contrast expenses from country to country
• create and present a PowerPoint presentation about Nigeria
• recognize the flags of the four selected countries
• understand that flags are symbolic of a country's value system

This course is appropriate for grades 3 and up