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11/16/2023
RCP NEWSPAPER
WHAT'S THAT SMELL?: FOODS IN HIGHSCHOOL
Foods Studies in high school and a look at the dissonance between grade levels
For people who don't decide to enrol in this course, Food Studies could seem like a waste of time. But to learn how to cook all sorts of different dishes is a skill essential to growing up and leaving adolescence, to provide nutrients for yourself and plans for healthy meals. In Foods, Ms. Vining, the Home Economics teacher, tries to incorporate some freedom to take initiative with the assignments, like in her Seniors' class where they start to learn how to design their own meal plans or soups. This gives them leeway to experiment and find their tastes.
Though the subject of food is very broad, there are units in the Foods portion of the class that delve into more specific topics like learning about the different cultural noodles of the world. Usually, the unit will start off with learning how to make pasta. Then, they branch off into other popular noodles like udon and ramen, and figure out what makes them different. There is also some innovation, where the students are encouraged to find out what is culturally comforting to them, to incorporate the flavours and add it to the project they're working on.
Home Economics in general isn't widely chosen of all electives by eighth graders, as it isn't considered an essential class. The Foods portion of the class is greatly enjoyed and considered fun, but not enough to get chosen again, particularly because of the lack of genuine care for the subject. While this is understandable, these life skills are incredibly important to learn, especially if they go on to live independently and have to provide for themself. Foods (the subject) should be appreciated, especially if they taste so good!
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