Fractions may seem intimidating at first, but when food is involved students get a whole lot more invovled in understanding and learning these skills. Students chopped up wraps, and made fraction fruit salad to begin learning equal parts and names of fractions. Later on their skills were tested with measuring dried corn kernels, developing an understanding how measuring cups and spoons are all real life uses of fractions. Students progressed their learning through baking cookies and pancakes and making their own trail mix. We even had some left over pancakes and shared them with our animal friends at the school.  Each cooking or baking task challenged and reinforced students understanding of fractions. 

As a final 'practical' exam of their learning, students were tasked with decorating a sugar cookie according to directions given through fractions. Students thrived while completing this task.

As a further extension of our gingerbread cookie adventure, students frequently discussed ingredients grown locally and abroad. They gained a deeper appreciation of ingredients and the value of global trade. 

Program of Studies Connections

• Math: Fractions and Number Sense

• Health: healthy eating 

• Social Studies: Time and Place; trade amongst countries

• Language Arts: Reading Comprehension, Non fiction texts, informational writing. 

A beloved Christmas time treat comes from so many places far and wide. Grade 2 students learned about the ingredients needed to make gingerbread cookies.  Students first task was identifying the various ingredients using pictures. Each student was handed an ingredient either in its natural form or prepped for cooking. Working with their friends they had to decide what the ingredient was, and whether it was natural or man-made. Students were shocked when they discovered that each ingredient originally came from earth. 

The next job that students were tasked with was determining where the ingredient came from. On a map, students stuck their ingredient where they thought it came from. To simplify this activity, we highlighted Canada and anywhere else on the map was deemed 'away from home'. Once again, students were in disbelief at the number of products that are grown close to home. 

The final and most rewarding step of our exploration was combining ingredients and baking the cookies. Unfortunately with all the sickness in our classroom, Miss H combined and made the cookies to keep everyone safe. We all enjoyed the cookies the next day! 

Some students wanted to try Molasses, here are a series of photos to showcase the experience.