Cooking to Learn (Books 1-3)

The Cooking to Learn Series teaches real-world reading and writing through step-by-step cooking activities for students of all abilities.

The Cooking to Learn Series blends functional literacy with life skills instruction through engaging, step-by-step cooking lessons. Across three books, students build reading comprehension, expressive language, vocabulary, sequencing, and writing skills while preparing simple, affordable recipes. Designed for diverse learners, each recipe includes illustrated and non-illustrated activities to support varying levels of ability and independence. This series is ideal for inclusive classrooms, life skills programs, and therapy-based education that focuses on practical communication and hands-on learning.

What makes this curriculum so effective?

This series turns cooking into a powerful teaching tool, connecting real-world tasks with academic goals:

• Over 80 recipes across three books, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, desserts, and drinks.
• Clear, step-by-step directions with matching comprehension and writing tasks.
• Visual and non-visual materials support differentiated instruction.
• Skill-based worksheets target reading comprehension, sequencing, vocabulary, and expressive language.
• Each book includes an index of skills and an assessment checklist to track student progress.
• Book 3 adds cultural exploration with recipes, facts, and flag outlines from around the world

Why this learning approach works so well:

Hands-on learning helps students retain and apply language and literacy skills more effectively. Cooking offers natural opportunities for following directions, engaging in discussions, solving problems, and writing reflections. This curriculum brings those moments into structured lessons, reinforcing key academic and social skills while building independence and confidence in the kitchen.

Who is the Cooking to Learn Series helpful for?

This curriculum targets functional reading and writing development in students in grades one to twelve. The Cooking to Learn Series is an educational resource for Occupational Therapists, teachers, and parents. Students will enjoy the simple routines of preparing recipes for one or more people, making the program ideal for individual or small group use. Teachers will appreciate the inexpensive ingredients used in all the recipes.

Why Occupational Therapists, teachers, and parents love this curriculum:

• Combines life skills and literacy goals into one engaging resource
  
• Encourages participation from students with a wide range of abilities, allowing each student to work at their own level of ability 
  
• Students are rewarded with a sense of accomplishment as they identify and assemble ingredients, follow step-by-step instructions, and complete a finished product
• Students also develop self-esteem as they experience increased independence by learning a skill that is meaningful and useful
• Supports transition planning, independent living, and vocational training
  
• Offers reproducible worksheets for easy classroom use
  
• Promotes meaningful conversations and expressive language through food preparation

The Cooking to Learn Series includes:

• Three reproducible books (290 to 300 pages each) with 25 to 29 recipes per book
• Safety rule lists and visual supports for each lesson
• Comprehension activities including multiple choice, short answer, cloze, and writing prompts
• Index of skills and assessment checklist in each book
• Cultural facts and flag outlines included in Book 3 for global learning connections

Sample Recipes:

• Breakfast: Cinnamon rolls, cinnamon toast, French toast, strawberry banana waffles
• Lunch/Dinner: Grilled cheese sandwich, macaroni and cheese, pita sandwich, pizza, quesadillas, ravioli 
• Snacks/Desserts: Banana split, cookies, fruit salad, nachos, parfait, stuffed celery, trail mix 
• Drinks: Chocolate milkshake, fruit smoothie, raspberry orange blend, root beer float