Fraction Fun

As I'm gently and gingerly feeling my way through this whole new-to-homeschooling thing, the girls and I are having a lot of fun. We're testing each other out, figuring out where we need to start, learning rules, and most of all, I'm learning how amazing it is to watch them learn. Now that I've watched their faces while they process information, and the light of discovery on their faces as they comprehend, I'm not sure that I could ever hand this job off to anyone else... it is simply amazing.

Today I needed to make cookies for the cookie jar, and they needed to have at least a vague understanding of the concept of fractions for starters, so I decided to kill two birds with one stone, and we learned fractions while making cookies. Not an original idea by any means, but still a lot of delicious fun.

If you should be on the lookout for an awesome set of measuring cups, may I suggest the MIU 7 piece set? Frank got these for my birthday a few years back, and I LOVE them. I especially love that they have the 3/4 and 2/3 cups, as well as long handles. They are a little pricey for just picking up one day, but they do make a wonderful gift! Discussing the concept of fractions.

Oh yeah, check it out!

We did Peanut Butter cookies today, so they took turns of the fun criss-cross fork pattern, and sugar sprinking.

And, of course, taste-testing.

Yum! We also learned about following directions step-by-step, and how important it is to combine wet and dry ingredients in the proper sequence, as well as the all important fact that sugar is almost always considered a wet ingredient, as opposed to a dry. You never know what will stick with a vengeance. :-)

And, last, but never least, the recipe. I chose this one because it had a lot of different fractions in it, as well as an introduction to cups, tablespoons, and teaspoons.

Peanut Butter Cookies

375 degrees, 8 minutes, yields 3 dozen

3/4 cup Peanut Butter (chunky is our preference, but creamy works too)

1/2 cup butter

1 1/4 cup light Brown Sugar

3 TBSP Milk

1 TBSP Vanilla

1 egg

1 3/4 cup flour

3/4 tsp salt

3/4 tsp baking soda

Combine 1st 6 wet ingredients. Separately combine 3 dry ingredients. Slowly mix together. Scoop onto cookie sheet, two inches apart, sprinkle with sugar, and criss-cross gently with a fork. Bake for approx 8 minutes at 375 degrees. Enjoy!