Week of September 11th
Hello,
We will be beginning our 2nd unit on Fractions and Decimals. Below is a message on how fractions and decimals are used everyday!
~ Mrs. Lounsbury
Dear Family,
Many of us have a number of recipes
that we enjoy preparing. Perhaps
they are old family recipes or simply
someone's favorite meal. Some recipes
we can prepare without much effort:
a quarter cup of butter, a quarter cup
of flour, and two cups of milk for a
white sauce.
However, when we have guests over for
dinner, we find these familiar recipes
have to be adjusted. Maybe we have to make three times as many servings.
Now we need three quarter cups of butter, three quarter cups of flour, and
so on.
Sometimes we want to make a smaller portion, such as when part of the family
is away. Now we find ourselves using half a quarter cup of butter, half a
quarter cup of flour, and so on.
You and your student can discuss strategies for preparing a meal when you
have to change the recipe. For example, you might ask your student:
“We have to use two quarter cups of sugar. Should we use the 1/4 cup
measure twice, or use the 1/2 cup measure?” Your student may answer,
“The amount will be the same either way.”
“The recipe calls for 2/3 cup of milk, but we only want a half batch.
What measuring cup should we use?” Your student may answer, “Use the
1/3 cup measure, but only once.”
“Grandma's brownie muffin recipe makes enough for three dozen
muffins, but we only want one dozen. What should we do?” Your student
may answer, “We can divide the recipe measures by three.”
Sometimes you have to make a judgment call. How do you cut the recipe in half,
if it calls for three eggs? Talk with your student about different strategies
for changing a recipe like this.
Enjoy your cooking time together!
