PARRY SOUND — Organized — yet educational — chaos is what happens when 18 Grade 1 students are invited into the Parry Sound High School’s kitchen to bake nine Christmas-themed cakes.
In a unique partnership, Patrick Duncan’s Grade 1 class from Parry Sound Public School, and Blair Cousins’ culinary arts students at Parry Sound High School baked together on Dec. 18 experiencing invaluable teachable moments for both teens and children.
Duncan said he wanted to do baking with his students, but realized that the public school’s oven wouldn’t accommodate baking several cakes.
After contacting Cousins, the two worked out a plan that would benefit both groups.
“The Grade 1 students could have some hands on, meaningful experience with the math strand of measurement and Mr. Cousins’ class could research a cake recipe, teach a younger student how to properly measure ingredients, maintain a sterile environment while baking and decorating a cake,” said Duncan.
Following their baking extravaganza, the children enjoyed homemade pizza and freshly baked cookies for lunch prepared by the high school students.
The baked cakes were decorated by the teens, with design ideas provided by the children.
The completed cakes will be posted to Parry Sound Public School’s Facebook page to be auctioned off with funds raised going toward a trip for Duncan’s class in 2018.
“To say the day was a huge success is an understatement of grand proportions!” said Duncan. “The students — both young and old — thoroughly enjoyed spending time together and working toward a common goal. Even better, Mr. Cousins invited our class back in the spring to learn how to make homemade pizza — we cannot wait!”