A MATH LESSON-LEARNING THE FUN WAY
When my daughter was learning fractions in her second grade class, she came home one day asking how to practice. It only took me a second to pull out my measuring cups. We filled the 1-cup with two ½ cups, the 2/3-cup with two 1/3 cups, and so forth. Without realizing it, we use fractions in our everyday lives as a regular part of our daily tasks. This is most evident in the kitchen. Pouring water back and forth between the measuring cups is a stunning visual that reinforces the way fractions work.
Naturally (I can’t help myself), I decided to take the lesson one step further.
I happened upon cute and cuddly cooking tools! The various styles come with the business ends of a spoon (Miss/Mr. Purple), whisk (Miss/Mr. Green), ¼ and ½ measuring cup (Miss/Mr. Pink), a spatula (Miss/Mr. Yellow), and a pastry brush (soon to be Miss/Mr. Blue), attached to bendable silicone bodies complete with belly buttons, and suction-cup feet. Not only are they a blast to work with, they actually function quite well. The shapes are easy for little hands to hold. The cups are so popular in our class that I put these darlings on the table, even if we don’t need them for a particular recipe. They are learning “share, share, that’s fair” too.
But, I must admit, my Tupperware measuring cups are my favorites.
These no-frills cups come in more sizes than the regular 4 piece sets (usually, evens or odds) and are extremely durable. I received them as a gift from my sister many years ago and they still look new. The style I have is no longer offered, but the new ones look similar in size and material, just cuter. Remember going to those parties? Now you can buy them here: Tupperware online.
The more the kids become familiar with them, the easier it will be to learn the math facts later on. By the way – in case you forgot, pizzas and pies work well with fractions lessons too.
What do you use?
-Romy
Posted by Doughremekids Blog at 6/18/2009 7:15 PM 
Categories: head, chefs, spatula, cooking, kids, cute, measuring, spoon, whisk, tools, cup, tupperware
Tags: parties head spatula cooking kids math spoon whisk tools cup
Categories: head, chefs, spatula, cooking, kids, cute, measuring, spoon, whisk, tools, cup, tupperware
Tags: parties head spatula cooking kids math spoon whisk tools cup
the tupperware are my favorite too... because they have the most choices and they are a cinch to clean!
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This is the most funniest way to learn math.... and every one will enjoy....
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I really enjoy it too ))
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This is a great way to kill two bird with one stone! It's amazing how many students in CULINARY school don't know how cups equal a gallon, for example. Getting them started early identifying these ratios will help them in so many different ways. Thanks!
Cheers!
-Booker
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