Counting is fun!

Cooking and math go hand and hand. Measuring, learning about quantity and volume, exploring numbers, and learning the geometric concepts of shape, size, position, and direction are all integral parts of cooking. Teachers and parents can use the many opportunities in cooking to introduce and reinforce mathematical process and concepts.

During Lunch Bunch the children had the opportunity to make Happy Trail Mix! The children were asked to count out 20 cheerios, 10 pretzels , 14 raisin ,and then place them in their own cup. Each child discovered their own counting strategy/style; some children needed support and others were able to count independently. Aaron asked, "How do I count". I replied,"Look at the number on the stick in the bowl and count out 20 cheerios, 14 raisins etc..." Once he received a little direction, he was on his way to make a delicious trail mix today! The next time I heard from Aaron, was when he asked me "Lauri, what comes after 89? ""Mia counted out 6 raisins and then asked, "How many more raisins do I need?" I asked,"What comes after 6?" Josh shouted out, "7...Lauri do you know why I said 7?" I said, "No Josh, why did you say 7?" "Because counting can really help you!" "I replied,"Josh, you are absolutely right!" The children's enthusiasm for exploring concepts such as quantity, number and counting made this cooking activity a lot of fun! I want to personally thank the All Star Lunch Bunchers for a most enjoyable afternoon of "counting fun"!