What’s Right With Our Schools: Battle Academy Reach Cooking Class

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Summer Reach Program allows Battle Academy students to learn in new and creative ways. It’s a tasty example of what’s right with our schools.

Tarah Kemp is the Culinary Immigration Specialist at Battle Academy.

She explains, “We have been focusing on a variety of topics that continue to still build on what these students are going to be expected to need to know. Because of that, each particular class is really focusing on a special skill. We’re focusing on our five senses, specifically our sense of smell, our sense of sight, and of course, what our taste buds tell us. And all of those come together when we try foods that seem a little off.”

She continues, “With today’s lesson with Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham, what we have tried to do is break away from the classic normal foods. We’re trying to build this bravery, this confidence as they venture into their growing into their taste buds. Initially, of course, with the green eggs and ham, we are kind of breaking that initial barrier of this is not quite what I want to eat, because our brains continue to tell us the first look of this looks weird. So, we’re trying to push away from that and then give up that confidence of saying, hey, we can be brave, we can be bold, and we can try new things that are actually not so bad.”

Kemp concludes, “With cooking up learning, everything that we do is not just simply the basics of cookies and cupcakes and all the brownies. We’re really challenging them on a completely different level to taste foods because through this historical and scientific and literary based instruction. We’re really going to take it to the next level that they wouldn’t get in the typical classroom.”