By Cynthia Brawner, NBCT
A Food Activity for Math Classrooms is a great way to introduce food instructions. It is also a wonderful pathway to creating delicious weekly lessons. This activity is applicable for all grade levels, from preschool to high school.
Want a food experience activity for your measurement math lesson? Super! You’ve come to the right place. It doesn’t matter the grade level you teach or the learning level of your students. A Food Activity for Math Classrooms keeps it fun and simple, with easy, quick clean-up.
Hi, I am Cynthia Brawner, a 25+ year veteran teacher in Chicago Public Schools at Wadsworth STEM Elementary, where Dr. Rashid Shabazz is my principal. I am also a Pilot Light Food Education Fellowship Alum (23-24). I enjoy non-traditional teaching, that is, teaching a standards-based, content area lesson with food and lessons that include introductory tech mini-projects. By day, I am an ELA, a Social Studies, and a Writing teacher to about 55 third-graders.
How it Started
Some years ago, while teaching math (Yes, for 98% of my career, I taught all subjects when my class was self-contained, and there were 25 to 27 students in my classroom), I needed something innovative and exciting because I was getting bored with teaching the same curriculum. The curriculum is great, and I do enjoy its content. However, I needed it to be a bit more exciting, given its focus on measurement.
Measurement is often one of those math subjects students frequently struggle with. Each year, I added something new, upgraded the primary calculators (1:1 ratio) bought fancy pencils, more stickers, digital scales (one per group), cubes, timers, and more.
So, one year, I decided to up my “teaching game.” Students love to eat, so I polled my students on their favorite foods. Guess which won the #1 spot? Pizza! Yes, pizza. “Oh my gosh,” I thought. Lo and behold, I had an “Ah, Ha!” moment and I made a decision. An awesome decision, I thought. I went to my principal – “Yes,” he said. I went to our lunchroom manager – “Yes, after all lunch periods,” she said. I dubbed it “Operation Math Food.” Operation Math Food was in full force. A quick, easy, and informed snack choice was on its way!
The Setup
My favorite shop ‘til you drop for the classroom was a store where all items were a dollar. I bought measuring spoon sets, mini storage bin sets, measuring cups, storage zipper bags, sandwich zipper bags, Olive Oil, and popcorn flavored seasoning (I’ll explain later). I purchased online a 19- to 20-quart storage bin with a locking lid for all the dry goods, oil, tasting spoons, #2 pencils, and parchment paper.
The Content Area: Math Measurement
In this lesson, we move beyond the worksheet. After introducing measurement, I used a step-by-step process to provide an interactive, real-life measurement activity through A Food Activity for Math Classrooms.
To make this a true lesson in measurement, my students made their pizzas from scratch in our classroom during this special math activity. Please note: if your classroom doesn’t allow food activities, consider reaching out to the administrator and the lunchroom manager for permission to hold your math class there after all lunch periods have ended.
The Tools
Here is our list and recipe for a 3-inch pizza:
- 2.5 teaspoons of flour and 1 teaspoon of water
- Wheat or White Flour (I used wheat)
- Shredded Cheese: Mozzarella or Cheddar (or other favorite flavor as long as it is shredded)
- Olive Oil (make sure it is 100% Olive Oil)
- Pizza Sauce
- Salt (Optional)
- Seasoning – California Blend with Garlic is great (I did invest in the multiple flavors of popcorn seasoning in miniature bottles)
The Process
Now the “construction” begins. Provide students with the recipe and the step-by-step instructions. It might get a tad bit messy with the flour. Consider having paper towels as a space cover.
Walk students through each step. Check each student visually to assess whether they understand the measurements and the tools to use. Consider making this a checklist so the task isn’t overwhelming. I like calling my students’ space their work area.
If your students do not have the plastic food gloves, then give them their food tools. If they do, then stack the food tools within reach of all students.
Food tools before making the pizza:
- Cup
- Spoon
- Paper Towels
- Plastic Bags
The Rewarding Result
WOW! Amazement and excitement are expected after this activity. It can be modified by altering the measurements. If there are some students who didn’t fully grasp the measuring concept, assign if for homework using paper so there isn’t any independent cooking at home with the younger students. The paper becomes each ingredient; students can put the measured ingredients into individual snack baggies, return it to school, and see if it measures up (pardon my pun). Thanks for reading!