Cooking

Students are being supported in cooking class by recipes presented in an adapted picture format. This gives

Students with disabilities have greater access to the cooking program at Devonport High through the use of adapted picture format recipes. This is an ongoing program and is used to support students with limited reading ability to be able to successfully participate in the 'regular' cooking class alongside their peers. The picture recipes also mean that students can participate with less teacher or Teacher Assistant help.

Picture recipes

The staff created the recipes on the computer using visual images (photos) and a limited amount of text. Recipes that are created and used by the students in this format are the same recipes that are being used by their classmates.

The recipes are far more inclusive than an ordinary recipe, which generally consists largely of text. Where possible, photos have been taken of the equipment or ingredients that are to be used , which enables the student to match the products to the pictures and follow the step-by-step instructions.

As a class teacher said: ‘The recipes are easier to read / follow and the clear sequencing makes it ‘do-able’ for any of the students, even those with very limited reading ability. Matching pictures to written ingredients and utensils makes for success.’

Silhouette of a teacher An example of substantial achievement was noted by one of the parents who stated:

'Last year my son could hardly spread a piece of bread and now he is coming home and cooking meals for the whole family by himself'.

This is an ongoing project and the school hopes eventually to have all recipes available in this format.