Cooking With Cuisinaires

Designed by: Lori Douroux, Caughman Road Elementary School

Grade: 2nd     Subject: Math 

Core Curriculum Objective:  Identify, name, and demonstrate fractional parts of a set or region using a variety of manipulatives and pictures (equal vs. unequal parts of a whole, wholes, halves, thirds, etc). Write the corresponding fractions and order them correctly. (2NR5-1)

Overview: Students will name, identify and demonstrate the value of fractions using Cuisenaire rods through the use of recipes. Students will make the connection between Cuisenaire Rods and their fractional value.

Focus Question: How can we identify, name and write fractional parts of a Cuisenaire Rod?

Time frame: Two one-hour class period.

Resources: 
Cuisenaire Rods 
Overhead Cuisenaire rods 
Chart paper 
Paper 
Pencils 
Bowls or trays 
Teacher made recipe cards 
www.aplusmath.com 
www.hbschool.com/glossary/math/

Culminating Assessment: While working with Cuisenaire recipes, students will create their own Cuisenaire Recipe Card. Students exchange their finished products with other students to be checked for accuracy. The finished product will be graded by the following rubric:

Teacher Preparation: The teacher should use computer to create several different recipes cards using Cuisenaire measurements. For example: 

Activity one: 
Begin this activity by reading the book Eating Fractions by Bruce McMillian. Challenge students to think of how we use fractions in real life. Relate to prior knowledge by asking the students how they would divide a cookie if every 3 children had one. After discussing the different fractions in the book, allow the students to experiment with the Cuisenaire rods. Discuss the various lengths and sizes. Challenge the students to discover several different ways to make up a black rod. Have students trace the longest rods a few times on a piece of paper. Model how to divide it up into equal parts. For example: ask students to show 1/2 of a red rod. Have students trace a red rod, divide it into 2 equal sections, color in 1 of those sections and find the rod that fits into the product. One tan is 1/2 of a red rod. Model how 1/2 or a red rod is actually larger than 1/4 of a red rod. The teacher should circulate around the room to make sure all students are comprehending the task. Next ask the students to show 1/3 of a dark green rod. Again have them go step by step. Trace the green rods; divide it into 3 equal parts, and shade in one part. The answer is a red rod is 1/3 of a dark green rod. Take this on step further by asking what single rod makes 2/3 of a dark green rod. Model the steps one more time and the answer is a purple rod is 2/3 of a dark green rod. Allow the students to get into small groups and experiment with making and writing the fractions using paper and the rods. The teacher should move from group to group to monitor comprehension of the task. The teacher may have to pull individual students or a small group to model a few more examples. If a student finishes early or a student seems to be having difficulty comprehending the concept, a great reinforcements is; www.hbschool.com/glossary/math/ go to 2nd grade, the letter F, and fractions. The site displays various fractions and their values. Another site to use is www.aplusmath.com. Go to the fraction inequalities. This site helps more with comparing fraction values.

Activity Two: 
The teacher will display the following Cuisenaire recipe on a chart paper. 

2/3 green rod 
1/2 brown rod 
1/2 purple rod

Have the students' take out a green, brown, and purple rod. By visualizing the fractions have students volunteer which one is the largest, middle and smallest fraction. After that have the students trace each rod on paper and shade in it's given fraction. Students will be encouraged to experiment to find the correct colored rod to represent the fraction. 2/3 of a green rod is a red rod, 1/2 of a brown rod is a purple rod and 1/2 of a purple rod is a red rod. The students will then create their own recipe using the rods. They will write their recipe on an index card and the answer on the back of the card. The teacher will monitor and assist as needed. The students will reflect by writing an explanation and what they learned from this lesson. The teacher will check the recipes and answers. For the next few days students will trade recipe cards with classmates and practice making fractions. At the end each student will choose their favorite recipe to be displayed on a bulletin board titles cooking with Cuisenaires. Again, have the struggling students or those who finish early explore the web site listed above for added exposure.