Math Fun in A Rational
Numbers Foods Lab!
M.Berrisford
I had thought about doing a foods lab before, but it never
came to fruition until this year. With
Naryn on my side to make it possible, I was excited to try this math lab. We decided to make Rice Krispies squares because
it is a simple recipe and the cost of the ingredients were not too
expensive. Naryn purchased all the
ingredients, pre-made the icing (two different colours to represent positive
and negative rational numbers) and pre-cut the butter into tablespoon
blocks. This advance preparation was
very helpful! Thanks Naryn!!
The concepts that
were explored in the lab:
Positive and negative rational numbers
Adding and subtracting rational numbers
Doubling a rational number
Dividing a rational number in half
Placing rational numbers on one large number line
Students were placed in groups of 4 in order to participate
in the lab. Each group was responsible
for representing one positive and one negative rational number. Teams were given one square 9”x9” pan and one
similar sized circular pan to use to represent each of the groups’ assigned
rational numbers.
Basically there are 5 components to this lab: 1. Paper Assignment 2.
Making the Rice Krispies and dividing the product evenly into one square
pan and one circular pan 3. Dividing each pan into the appropriate parts to
represent the two different rational numbers.
4. Each group then placed the two
rational number representations on the large class number line in the
appropriate location. 5. The exercise concluded with a class
discussion and review of the final number line.
I asked the students to reflect on, and provide feedback about
the lab during the following math class.
Here are some of their thoughts/feedback they provided:
“I liked it because it showed how it (rational numbers) relates to real
life”.
“I liked the foods lab because it was a learning hands-on
activity. It was cool to see the big
number line and where all the Rice Krispies squares fit on it. It was a nice break from the textbook, and it
was helpful to visualize”.
“It was yummy and fun! It was a good way to work with other students”.
“It is fun to learn in different ways instead of from a textbook. It’s a really nice break and I wish we did
them more often. I actually did learn
from placing them on the number line. It
was a really good idea!”
“I think having a foods lab is a wonderful idea for us to get a
delicious hands-on math lesson! Two
thumbs up!”
My conclusions: The food lab was a worthwhile departure from
a regular lesson because it engaged students in learning about rational numbers
in a dynamic and meaningful way. The exercise fostered communication within
groups and between groups resulting in as deeper understanding of the concepts. Since most (if not all) of the students enjoyed the lesson I would definitely try
the food lab again.
