Pizza Counting!
Suggested Time: 45-60
minutes
Overview
The students will read a fun book about using pizza to count and
understand fractions, and then make up their own mathematical problems
by making their own pizzas!
Vocabulary
- Fractions
-
Addition
-
Subtraction
Objectives
- Students will have fun with designs and cooking (optional) in order to
gain number sense.
-
Students will acquire a real-world understanding of fractions.
-
Students will develop their own problems and solve them together.
Next Generation Science
Standards
- LS1-4. Developing and Using Models; Analyzing and Interpreting Data;
Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Common Core Mathematical
Standards
- OA. Operations and Algebraic Thinking
-
NBT. Number and Operations in Base Ten
-
NF. Number and Operations—Fractions
Required Project
Materials
- Mock dough (round or square pieces of cardboard, construction paper,
etc.)
-
Lightweight mock toppings (washers, pennies, confetti, plastic stars,
etc.)
-
Glue
-
Scissors
Multimedia Resources
- Pizza Counting. Christina Dobson.
http://amzn.com/0881063398
Optional Multimedia
Resources
- Full House: an Invitation to Counting. Dayle Ann Dodds.
http://amzn.com/0763641308
-
The Little Red Hen (Makes a Pizza) . Philomen Sturges and Amy
Walrod. http:// amzn.com/014230189
-
The Pizza That We Made . Joan Holub and Lynne Cravath.
http://amzn.com/0142300195
Before the Lesson/ Background
Information
- This lesson is written for mock dough and toppings (craft items), but
can also be done with real ingredients. Determine if you are able to
build real pizzas in class (if health regulations permit and if there
is access to Home Economics equipment on the premises). Pizza that is
ordered in can be used as well, but you won’t be able to have as much
fun with toppings!
Homework from Previous
Session:
The Lesson
Part 1: Reading Together (15
mins)
1. Read Pizza Counting with the students.
Part 2: Group Work: Making Pizzas! (30-45
mins)
- Separate the students into groups, or have each individual student
make a small personal pizza.
-
First, have the students replicate some of the examples in the book,
experimenting with pizza and toppings.
-
Then students should come up with their own examples. They should make
pictures on the pizza with toppings and use the pictures to come up
with their own mathematical problems. If they are real pizzas, make
sure to save enough time at the end of class to cook and eat them!