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Topic: Fractions

Grade: 5th

Materials

- paper

- pencil

- optional (calculator)

- handout with recipe

Activity: Draw a Diagram

1. The 37 students in Mr. Wang's Science Club planned a field trip to a nearby rain forest exhibit. They wanted to make Rain Forest Popcorn Treats as a snack for the busride. How many batches would they need to make for everyone to have a serving? Tell how much of each ingredient they would need.

2. Recipe for Rain Forest Popcorn Treats

Makes 8 servings

- 6 cups of popped popcorn

- 3/4 cup cashew nuts

- 1/3 cup dried pineapple

- 1/3 cup dried banana chips

- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

- 1/4 cup coconut

- 3/4 cup chocolate bits

- 1/3 cup dried papaya

- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

3. Have groups of five students work on this problem. Suggest that each student draw and label representations of the ingredients needed for one batch. If the students in a group put their drawings together, they will see the amount of each ingredient needed for five batches. Another approach would be to have the students set up equations to multiply each quantity by 5.

Resource:

Shiotsu, Vicky. 1995. Math Notes Problem Solving In the Rain Forest

Torrance, CA: Frank Schaffer Publications, Inc.