As we were doing our preparations for Thanksgiving over the weekend, math skills were involved. I asked the Hubby, can you please look up how long we need to cook the turkey. Of course, when we looked it up, the ‘formula’ was given, but we needed to figure it out. The directions told us how much to cook the turkey per pound. It was up to us to look at the package, see how much the turkey weighed and then multiply it by how long to cook it per pound and then come up with a number and convert it to time. This is the kind of math that needs to be done in school, practical application math. Thanksgiving dinner it’s self is whole slew of math story problems. Especially when you try to get all the cooking/ baking done with one oven, or two or one and a roasting pan for the turkey. Doubling recipes, figuring out supplies, etc. Engage your kids this Thanksgiving. Get them off the couch and have them help. If it’s not doing math in the kitchen, they can set the table, clear the tables arrange the flowers and candles-I used the little flameless candles, with batteries with little kids, it’s just not worth the risk of a fire. Our 3, 4 & 5 year old granddaughters helped out. You shouldn’t do all the work. Everyone can help out, even the kids.
School may or may not teach these lessons in class. However, YOU can do them in your home and in your kitchen. These problem solving situations can teach your kids that there IS practical application to the math problems they do in school. No matter what they do in life, they will have to be prepared to take care of themself and prepare their own meals, maybe even a Thanksgiving dinner. Your home is their first classroom and YOU are their first teacher(s). What you teach your children will be passed on to the next generation. Teach them wisely…It’s a Great Day & Happy Thanksgiving 🍎
