Cooking and math.
I have been wanting to learn how to bake bread for some time now. Under quarantine from the Coronavirus is the perfect time to learn and use it as a lesson. Besides, there are hardly any loaves of bread on the shelves at grocery stores.
Baking bread is easy but requires several steps that work well for a lesson for all age groups.
By the way, I consider age groups not learning levels. I believe any child can learn any material on any level if you teach it according to their learning style. So, at home, you can ease up on the levels and include all children in the process based on age, ability, and interest.
Here are the learning outcomes of a bread baking lesson.
Reading, research, critical thinking: have a child research the best recipe for the bread in comparison to the ingredients you have at home.
Communication: allow the child to discuss the type of recipe he/she chooses to follow and explain why? Perhaps there are more children then the researcher has to share the recipe with the group and a decision has to be agreed on to use said recipe.
Comprehension: Once a recipe is decided, allow the child/children to follow the recipe step by step. You may want to assign certain roles or let the oldest child assign the roles.
I teach homeschool parents/teachers how to develop organic lessons that are customized to their children and family learning needs. Www.creativecurriculums.blog
Math: get out the measuring cups, spoons, eggs, butter and all other ingredients. With bread there are a few proofing time frames included in the recipe so, time is also a factor.
As the children add the correct measurements, ask them to convert it to kg, or ml, or how many tablespoons make a 1/2 cup. Throw in plenty of conversion questions. Have someone state and track the time for proofing the yeast and the dough.
Physical ed: kneading can be a fun exercise of the arms and hands. Children would love kneading and bread needs to be kneaded for a while, no pun intended. While one is kneading another can be adding loose flour and another child can count kneads or track the time. As long as hands are clean, allow them to take turns at kneading, it is a great release of energy. After kneading comes more proofing. So there is about an hour or so where the children can clean their work space, take a break, or recall the steps of the process. But don’t forget to keep track of time.
I am going to try baking bread as a family lesson. I will be happy to post a pick, no matter how well it turns out. If you don’t choose baking bread, choose another recipe but choose something that won’t diminish your supplies if it doesn’t turn out well.
Cooking is a great opportunity for children to work as a team, build comprehension and critical thinking skills while practicing math, time, reading, research, and communication. Don’t forget the let them clean up their mess as well.
So while we are all home with our families and you are the teacher, do a project that incorporates many organic lessons and gives your child/ren as sense of accomplishment in the end.
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