Preparing Food with
Mathematics
By Erik Jefferson and
Emily Steele
Objectives
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Students will become more confident with adding,
subtracting, multiplying and dividing with fractions,
decimals and percents.
Students will understand the importance of math in the
real world.
Students will be introduced to the cultural backgrounds
of their peers.
Students will enhance their interpersonal and
communication skills.
Justification
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The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) states that sixth
grade students should “work flexibly with fractions, decimals, and percents
to solve problems.”
Many students do not see the importance in mathematics. By incorporating
mathematics into a real world example students will pay closer attention and
see math’s importance in functioning as a working adult.
A multicultural education will introduce students to the diverse world that
they live in.
The NCTM standards state that students should be able to “communicate
their mathematical thinking coherently and clearly to peers, teachers and
others.”
Communication is a vital skill required to perform in society.
Weekly Plan
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
•Students are
introduced to
project
•Local manager
will visit and
supply menus.
•Students will
be put into
groups of four
and assigned to
bring in cultural
recipes
•Each group will
select each
course and
construct a
menu
•Teacher will
assign number
of people
having each
dish
•Students will
calculate how
much of each
ingredient is
needed
•Each group will
construct a bill
•Each group will •Evaluation in
construct 8
game format
questions to be
used for a
contest
Ingredients
Sourdough Pizza Dough
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1 1/2 cups sourdough starter, room temperature
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 1/2 cups bread flour
Water
Classic Tomato Pizza Sauce
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3 Tbsp. - Butter
16 Oz. - Can of Tomato Puree
3 Tbsp. - Olive Oil
1 Tsp. - Salt
3 Cloves - Garlic, Minced
1/4 Tsp. - Black Pepper
3 Large - Yellow Onions, Minced
1 Tsp. - Whole Oregano
2 Quarts. - Canned Whole Italian Tomatoes
1 Tsp. - Whole Basil
Evaluation
• A jeopardy game will be played on the last day where groups
will be given the opportunity to compete against each other.
• This style of grading accomplishes three important aspects;
– Individual accountability
– Group goals
– Competing against peers of equal academic ability
• Sample questions students may formulate:
– If a meal comes to $56.84, what amount is paid, including
a 15% tip, and 6% tax?
– If tomato puree comes in 40oz containers, and each pizza
requires 16oz, how many containers of puree need to be
ordered to make 7 pizzas?
THE END