Throughout December, the Reading Department and Family & Consumer Science program at J.W. Dodd Middle School partnered on Cooking Up Literacy: A Holiday Collaboration, a hands-on, cross-curricular initiative designed to show students how reading, research and communication skills translate to real-world settings.
Under the guidance of teachers Ms. Brown and Ms. Perez, students explored practical applications of reading, vocabulary and critical-thinking skills through cooking and recipe-based activities. The project emphasized research, planning and collaboration, helping students better understand how literacy supports everyday tasks and cooperative work environments.
The unit culminated in a gingerbread house project, in which students applied their skills by designing and constructing festive displays that blended creativity, teamwork and practical literacy. The collaboration concluded with a gingerbread house showcase and friendly competition celebrating student innovation and problem-solving.
“This collaboration provided students with the opportunity to take ownership of their learning in meaningful ways,” said Principal Christopher Porciello. “By applying literacy skills to real-world experiences, students were actively engaged, built confidence, and gained a stronger understanding of how reading supports their success both in and out of the classroom.”
