Trail Mix: Fun with Fractions

Students will use recipes to apply their knowledge of adding, subtracting and multiplying fractions. This is an excellent lesson to use when you want your students to write about math.

Duration
Less than 1 hour
Lesson Type
Project Based Lesson

Lesson Created By: CindyWillis

Essential Question

How can my knowledge of fractions help me in real life?

Grade(s):

  • 5

Subject(s):

Recommended Technology:

http://www.kitchencalculator.net/
 

Other Instructional Materials or Notes:

Measuring cups and spoons 

1/4 cup Cranberries, dried
1/4 cup Chocolate candies
1/4 Almonds
1 cup Goldfish crackers
1/4 cup Marshmallows, mini

Lesson Progression

This activity works best in a small group.
Give students measuring spoons and cups 
Allow the student to measure water, rice or some other available material.
Let them experiment with
How many ¼’s it takes to make a whole cup?
How do you get half of a fourth of a cup?  etc
Begin with a simple trail mix recipe like the trail mix below (Check for nut allergies).
Have students to calculate the measurements for each ingredient to triple, double, half and quarter the recipe. 
This is an excellent lesson to use when you want your students to write about math.  You can easily adjust the difficulty of the lesson by changing the recipe or having them to make the recipe for an assigned number of students.
1/4 cup Cranberries, dried
1/4 cup Chocolate candies
1/4 Almonds
1 cup Goldfish crackers
1/4 cup Marshmallows, mini
 

Teacher Notes

This lesson can be adjusted to meet the needs and abilities of your students as well as other 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade math standards.

Differentiation: Begin with addition of fractions with like denominators. Scoop 1/2 and another 1/2. Record as a numeric equation. Scoop out 2/3 and subtract 1/3. Have the student(s) record this numerically. Move to multiplication and do the same.

Extension: Have students come up with their own recipes showing addition, subtraction, or multiplication of fractions. For example, 2/3 x 5 cups of popcorn.

Assessments

Check their calculations.  Have them to justiy  their answers and demonstrate how the fractions and  proportions work.  If possbile have them to make a small portion of their recipe.