High School Students Collaborate in the KItchen
by Señora Proaño
In October and November, Highlands High School Spanish students created and taught Spanish lessons for students in Mrs. Faith Foster's and Mrs. Christine McLaughlin's classes about three traditional Latin American dishes that they learned about in Señora Proaño’s Spanish III class: pan de yuca (similar to cheese bread), patacones (fried plantains) and arroz con leche (similar to rice pudding). After teaching the ingredients for the dishes in Spanish and how to make them, the students had a great time cooking and eating together. Afterwards, the students reflected on the collaboration.
When asked what they learned about the Latin dishes, the students said:
- “I learned that plantains are not bananas. They’re hard to peel.”
- “I learned how stiff the peels of plantains are and how similar in taste patacones are to french fries.”
- “I learned how to make pan de yuca. I’ve always wanted to make it, but never knew how. Now I can make it for my family.”
- “I learned that arroz con leche was very easy to make, that it can be served hot or cold and that it tastes like cereal with cinnamon.”
- “I learned that I really like arroz con leche and I would make it again.”
When asked what they learned about teaching, learning and cooking, the students said:
- “It was nice because we got to learn Spanish.”
- “I liked cooking, making new friends and meeting new people.”
- “Teaching isn’t the easiest job, but it makes you a better speaker.”
- “I learned that everyone learns and processes things differently.”
- “I love cooking and want to learn more of these recipes.”
When asked what they learned about themselves, the students said:
- “I learned that I really do like to teach.”
- “I learned that I do have more cooking ability than I thought.”
- “I learned that teaching can be difficult, but rewarding at the same time.”
- “I learned that getting up in front of people is not a big fear of mine anymore, and I’d be happy to do it again.”
- “I learned that anyone can do anything.”
Overall, the students in all classes enjoyed working together and are looking forward to doing it again in the future. A big thanks to Mrs. Foster and Mrs. McLaughlin for all of their work to make this collaboration possible.