Step back in time to experience life as it was in the 1800s. A collaboration between Culinary and English where we provide students with a deeper, more authentic understanding of the historical context surrounding Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave. The lesson will immerse students in the daily experiences of people living during Frederick Douglass’s time. Through Culinary, students will explore a variety of 19th-century cooking techniques, including brining, baking, and food preservation. Activities will offer a tangible connection to the era, helping students grasp how food preparation reflected both the hardships and ingenuity of the period. Through this interdisciplinary approach, students will be able to link literature, history, and culture in meaningful ways. By engaging all the senses—seeing, smelling, tasting, and touching—the intent of the lesson is to bring historical study into a living experience. This collaboration between English, Family and Consumer Science, and Library/Literacy teachers exemplifies how creative teamwork can enrich learning, deepen comprehension, and spark curiosity. The goal is to give students new skills and knowledge and also leave them with a greater appreciation for the resilience and resourcefulness of those who lived in the 19th century.
