The Perfect Pumpkin Loaf (Dividing Fractions + Volume)

Students will explore dividing fractions and finding the volume of a rectangular prism while baking the perfect pumpkin loaf!

Duration
1-2 hours
Lesson Type
Project Based Lesson

Essential Question

How can we divide fractions? How is the volume of a rectangular prism calculated?

Grade(s):

  • 5

Subject(s):

Recommended Technology:

Other Instructional Materials or Notes:

Optional: You may wish to bring in or have students bring in various sized rectangular prism baking dishes. Supply students with rulers to measure and calculate their volumes. 

You may also wish to actually follow the recipe and bake the bread together! If so, reference the recipe linked in the resources tab for ingredients needed. If not, bringing in a store-bought pumpkin loaf would be a fun addition to the lesson.

Lesson Progression

Introduction:
Discuss the importance of measuring ingredients accurately in baking.
Introduce the concept of volume and how it relates to the size of containers.
 

Activity 1: Measuring the Baking Dish
Measure the length, width, and height: Use a ruler to measure the length, width, and height of the rectangular baking dish in inches.
Calculate the volume: Multiply the length, width, and height to find the volume of the dish in cubic inches.
 

Activity 2: Understanding the Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Analyze the recipe: Review the pumpkin bread recipe and identify the ingredients that are measured in cups.
Discuss fractions and mixed numbers: Explain the difference between fractions and mixed numbers and how they are used in recipes.
 

Activity 3: Dividing Mixed Numbers
Choose a recipe: Select a specific ingredient from the pumpkin bread recipe that is measured as a mixed number.
Divide the quantity: If the recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of flour and you want to make half the recipe, divide 1 1/2 by 2.
Convert the mixed number to a fraction: 1 1/2 = 3/2
Divide the fraction: (3/2) รท 2 = 3/4
 

Activity 4: Applying Our Knowledge
Have students complete the performance task linked in the resources tab.
 

Conclusion:
Review the steps involved in finding the volume of a rectangular prism and dividing mixed numbers.
Discuss how these skills can be applied to other real-world situations, such as cooking, construction, or gardening.

Teacher Notes

differentiation: Make it hands on! Get a bag of flour (or something less messy, like candy corns). Have students use the 1/3 measuring cup to measure out 1 full cup. Record the math as 1/3 + 1/3 + 1/3 = 1. Work together and think aloud how to model with division (1 divided by 1/3 = 3). Repeat with multiple examples.

extension: Have students research and find their favorite recipe. This is a great way to honor carrying backgrounds and cultures. Students will then use the recipe to create an accompanying performance task similar to the one provided in the lesson. Have students create an answer key and swap with a partner to complete.

Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Print out or provide the link for students to reference while completing the performance task.

View Resource

Performance Task

Print one for each student and have them complete during the independent assessment portion of the lesson.

View Resource

Assessments

Use the performance task linked in the resources tab to assess student learning outcomes.