How to Do Fractions for Kids' Math
Teaching kids how to do fractions in math can be frustrating for both the student and the teacher. One of the tricks to teaching kids math is to figure out how the child learns, whether hands-on, reading or by doing. Many times having a visual helps the child to see what a fraction looks like. Cooking is one way to teach kids about fractions. Cooking combines many types of learning and gives kids the bonus of having a snack at the end.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Measuring cups and spoons
- 2-1/4 cups Flour
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 package yeast
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Pizza pan
- Sauce
- Cheese
- Toppings
- Clock
- Pizza cutter
Instructions
-
-
1
Explain to the kids that when baking, measuring cups and spoons are used because sometimes one whole cup or teaspoon is needed and other times only a fraction, or a part of a whole, is needed. Show the kids the cups and teaspoons and have them compare each partial to the whole.
-
2
Make a pizza with the kids to help them understand the use of fractions. Use these ingredients for the crust: 2 ¼ cup flour, ½ teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 package yeast (1/4 ounce), 1 cup water and 2 tablespoons vegetable oil.
-
-
3
Show the kids how to make the crust by mixing all the ingredients in a bowl. Point out all the fractional measurements and comparing them to the whole. Roll the crust out to fit into in a pizza pan.
-
4
Allow the kids to spread out the sauce and cheese on the whole pizza. Explain what the whole is again.
-
5
Discuss toppings that the kids like. Put different toppings on different fractional parts of the pizza, depending on how many kids you have. Divide the pizza accordingly, for example, divide the pizza into halves for two kids, thirds for three kids, fourths for four kids and so on.
-
6
Place toppings on the pizza in fractional parts. If one out of four kids likes mushrooms, only put mushrooms on ¼ of the pizza. If two like pepperoni, put pepperoni on ½.
-
7
Bake the pizza at 425 degrees for about 30 minutes. Discuss the fractional parts of the clock while the pizza cooks.
-
8
Cut the pizza into more slices than there are kids. If you cut eight slices, show the kids how two pieces equal one-fourth (1/4) of the pizza. Discuss other fractional parts before eating the pizza.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Kids love to learn through doing. Cooking helps them remember math skills. Take every opportunity you see and make them learning experiences until your child thoroughly understands fractions.
Write out some of your cooking fractions on paper so the kids can see how they should look as you are discussing the pizza. You could also discuss equivalent fractions, such as 2/4 equals 1/2.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
