1. Caroline Cuerden crcuerden@gmail.com
MegaMaths
Caroline Cuerden

2. In this workshop we will explore simple, fun, practical, food based activities for using and applying Mathematics in the classroom for Early Years and KS1 and 2.
Try out and take away Cakes in Cups calculations, ratio kebabs and foodie fractions and other ideas to bring the primary maths curriculum alive in your classroom.
In this session you will have opportunities to explore; simple calculating, estimating, measuring and weighing tasks using real-life examples from E2BN’s Cookit and other resources.

3. Using and Applying Maths
Why do it?
Food based maths presents real life problem solving challenges and applications.
‘Mathematical learning should be grounded in the concrete experience’. London Mathematical Society -2014
Effective Mathematics teaching makes use of: ‘structured equipment and everyday materials to model mathematical concepts, supporting children’s mathematical thinking and development of mental imagery.’DfE-2015
De-abstract- the abstract.
And because…

4. “Play is the highest form of research”- Albert Einstein

5. Ratio Kebabs Explore simple (and complex) concepts.
Counting out. How many? One more, one less?
2. Copying: make a kebab for a friend to copy. What needs to go on first, second etc?
Explore Pattern sequences and match them.
How many ways are there of arranging 3 fruits on a kebab?
Describe the fractions of fruit in your kebabs?
Make a kebab that is 1/3rd banana and 2 /3rds grape.
Ratio Problem solving: How many combinations of kebab can you make with 3 fruit using the following ratio: 2:3, label your answers.
Scale up kebabs keeping the same ratio.

6. What’s the learning? 3-5 7-11 Shape, position and movement:
Pattern sequences
Counting
Counting out and on
5-7
Problem solving-
How many ways?
Number:
recognise and show, using diagrams, equivalent fractions with small denominators
 add and subtract fractions with the same denominator within one whole
Measures:
Understand eqiuvalance metric and imperial

7. KS1-Cakes in Cups INGREDIENTS • 1 slice of butter 1cm thick (30g)
• 6 squares of milk chocolate (30g)
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp caster sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 4½ tbsp plain flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
METHOD
In a mug: melt the butter with the chocolate in the microwave for 30 to 40 seconds (800 watts).
Beat the mixture until smooth, then allow it to cool slightly. One by one, whisk in the egg, sugar, vanilla sugar, flour and baking powder.
Cook in the microwave for one minute 20 seconds (800 watts).
Allow to cool for one minute before eating.
Idea for gifts: Use the Chocolate chip cookie recipe- this will work as an all in one. Layer in the dry ingredients, add a label with the method and extra ‘wet’ ingredients to be added (Use the grams version).

8. KS2-Cupcakes Apple and Carrot Muffins: 120ml (4 fl oz) vegetable oil
3 eggs, lightly beaten
50g (2 oz) soft brown sugar
50g (2 oz) caster sugar
2 carrots, grated
2 apples, peeled and grated
 5 ml (1 tsp) vanilla extract
90g (3 1/2 oz) wholemeal flour
100g (4 oz) self- raising flour
1 tbsp (15ml) baking powder
1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) baking soda
1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) salt
1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) ground ginger
75g (3 oz) raisins or sultanas

9. ¼ of the cakes must have decorations with 2 lines of symmetry, 25% of your cakes must have blue icing, 50 % with chocolate icing, 1/3rd of your cakes should be decorated with chocolate chips and 1/4 with sprinkles. All cakes must be decorated with icing and a topping.
Can this be done? Record your findings.
Can you make up your own problem- solveable but tricky!
Cake problem
Your group will need:
12 cakes, knives for spreading, chocolate icing, blue icing and vanilla icing, chocolate chips, sprinkles and one other topping.

10. What’s the learning? 3-5 5-7 cont 7-11 Counting:
Multiplication and division:
Arrays
Counting in pairs as base for multiplying
How many lots of 2, 3, 4?
7-11
Measures:
Use metric measures accurately
Shape:
Symmetry, non-symmetry of decorations
Ideas: scale the recipe so everyone in the class can have a cake
Percentages and fractions
Counting:
Simple measuring (by size)
Sequencing- first, second
5-7
Measures:
Weigh and measure out
Read scales
Set times on a clock
Measure capacity

11. What’s the hidden learning?
For Them
For You
Opportunity for maths talk and thinking- accuracy, counting in pairs- arrays as prep for multiplication,
Practice with a range of common measures- ml, g
Measure solids and liquids
Learning from peers
Have fun
Good opportunity for observation and assessment
Provide concrete experience to support formulation of abstract concepts
Engage and inspire students

12. Food Fractions: What fraction is shaded?
This requires an understanding of an abstract based on an understanding of concrete experience.

13. 1. Cut things into fractions and name them- an apple in half, concept of equal parts- 1 of 2 pieces, one half.
2. Explore numerators and denominators with traybakes or sandwiches.
Back to the shading question…
Garibaldi biscuits activity:

14. 1. Use the biscuits to bridge the gap. Eat ¼ shade ¼.
Garibaldi Activity
2. Now transfer this to a number line. Now you can start to count in fractions to whole numbers. Easily transferring concrete to abstract.
1. Use the biscuits to bridge the gap. Eat ¼ shade ¼.

15. E2BN Food Groups Activity

16. National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics: 2006 study
Real – Real life maths provides:
higher levels of motivation
almost limitless resources
an opportunity to see maths as cross-curricular
greater curiosity leading to more effective exploration
creative ideas driving investigations
meaningful application of problem solving strategies and thinking skills
a heightened sense of purpose and relevance
the all important bridge between theory and reality
greater independence and an improved attitude to learning

17. Foodie Fractions
Sharing foods- fruit portions
Unfairly sharing- ‘halves’ to understand equal parts concept
Laying out in arrays 1 tray has 12 cakes, one cake is 1/12th. Numerators and denominators.
Sandwiches- halves, quarters and thirds. Recognise common fractions when they look different: Triangles, rectangles and squares
Food fraction games:
Nice pizza fractions activity and display idea:
Food Fractions games:
Food project- weight and measures and fractions:

18. Here’s some I made earlier…
Measured Meringues
Eggy Estimation Activity
Food Groups percentages activity
More ideas and resources
Play dough recipe

19. Measured Meringues (KS2)
Microwave Meringues Problem:
How do we make sure everyone gets a meringue?
Provide clean rulers, eating knives, scales, chopping board or paper plates. Encourage Estimation and measuring
Recipe: 300g icing sugar: 1 egg white. Microwave 1m 30 seconds (approx).

20. Eggy Estimations- The ‘I like cake but I have no scales’ problem.
A sponge cake has equal weights of sugar, butter, flour and eggs.
Make a cake using an egg for your unit of measurement.
Test your estimates by making the cakes!
Eggy estimate Cupcakes:
One egg (out of it’s shell) weighs about 50g!
After your bake: Can you write a recipe using metric units (based on your egg estimate) to make 12 cupcakes?

21. No Cook-Play dough
Recipe 1: From our American friends- it’s a good one though.
2 cups plain flour
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup salt
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
Up to 1.5 cups boiling water (adding in increments until it feels just right)
food colouring (optional)
few drops glycerine (optional- adds more shine!)
Mix the flour, salt, cream of tartar and oil in a large mixing bowl
Add food colouring TO the boiling water then into the dry ingredients (colour optional)
Stir continuously until it becomes a sticky, combined dough
Add the glycerine (optional)
Allow it to cool down then take it out of the bowl and knead it vigorously for a couple of minutes until all of the stickiness has gone. * This is the most important part of the process, so keep at it until it’s the perfect consistency!*
(If it remains a little sticky then add a touch more flour until just right)
Note – use gel colours they are brighter and less wet!

22. Further Estimations-Measuring
KS1 ideas
Everyday estimation ideas and interactive games
Make simple estimates bigger than, smaller than.
Order objects by estimating length, height and then check using simple measures or object comparison
KS2 Ideas
Does every country ‘measure’ food in the same way? Compare a recipe in cups
Open into wider world of measuring- How did Romans measure ? E2BN Roman Pack explores Roman Science and Technology, including activities involving measuring in a problem solving context.
Everyday estimation ideas and interactive games
Ancient Egyptians had a cubit-52.4 cm/ the length of a man’s forearm. After approx. 1000years they created standardised rods for measuring. Why do you think they did this?

23. Further Cupcake Calculations: Arrays, Using scales, ratio and proportion etc
KS1
Measuring length and weight:
Arrays and multiplication:
Arrays:
Using a balance game:
KS2 Ideas
Using balance scales with adjustable weight items:
Ratio and proportion, Cambridge University site:
Measures games:

24. E2BN Resources Links Halving and doubling: cottage pie
Measuring: Apple and Carrot Muffins
Or go savoury with Rosemary and Parmesan Muffins
And measuring tips:
Fractions: by dividing mixture, making arrays butterfly cakes or gingered bread
Halving and doubling: cottage pie
Ratio: winter smoothie or Fruit Kebabs
Imperial Measures: Apple Brown Betty
Percentages:

25. Other information
Numeracy and Cooking rationale:
Maths and food activity:
Cooking and Maths ideas :
What skills are age appropriate?
Early Years Maths: