This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Smart Balance. All opinions are authentic and my own. Please see my disclosure policy.
Make Math Fun (and YUMMY!) with PIE!
So we officially started homeschooling this week, and I’m so so happy about it already. (I’m just hoping this excitement holds me over through those rough days the veteran homeschooling mamas warn me about…) What I’m loving most about homeschooling so far? Integrating learning into our everyday life and therefore making that learning more authentic for the kids. For instance, Sawyer learned about fractions in his 2nd grade Time4Learning lessons today. And what better way to practice fractions than with food, right?! Especially Apple Pie! And I just knew this recipe would be the perfect one to make healthier with the Smart Balance spread we were sent to try. Check it out…
“Fraction Pie” Math Fun
We found the book Eating Fractions at the library that was a perfect introduction to making our “Fraction Pie.” It includes lots of other food, too. But making apple pie allowed us to use fractions while cutting the apples, measuring, and cutting the pie, too. Perfect.
First, of course, we had to skin and cut the apples. We used about 8 empire apples. And I had the kids watch me and name the fractions while I cut each apple first in half, then in fourths. Then Priscilla got some good fine motor practice cutting them up smaller with a duller butter knife. And we counted them while we put them all in the bowl.
I don’t usually measure the sugar and cinnamon when I’m making apple pie filling, but I really wanted the kids to notice the fractions on the measuring cups. So we measured out a cup of sugar and used the 1/2 cup separate it into two halves so we could see that the two half cups of sugar were the same volume. Then we tossed 1/2 cup into the apples. Then we measured out 1/4 cup cinnamon, which we learned once all mixed up was WAY TOO MUCH! I highly recommend 1/8 cup (or less?) when making yours. (Did I mention that I don’t usually measure…?)
Priscilla got those gross motor skills going while stirring up all of the apples and pouring it into the pie crust lined pan.
Once it was in the pan, we sprinkled it with some flour. Which was a fun sensory experience for Priscilla since she kept commenting that the four was “so soft!” And dotted the top with some chunks of Smart Balance Butter & Canola Oil Blend.
After we laid the other (*ahem* store-bought *ahem*) pie crust on top, I showed Sawyer how to crimp the edges the way my Grandma showed me.
And our “Fraction Pie” was ready for the oven! We covered the edges with foil and baked it for about 30 minutes at 425 degrees.
Once the pie was all baked, we got to the best math fun of all – fractioning off the pie for EATING! I let Sawyer practice his knife handling skills and announce the fractions while carefully cutting the pie for us.
Smart Balance Helps Make Baking (& Learning!) Healthier!
I was really impressed with how easy it was to substitute our typical butter with the heart-healthier Smart Balance in our apple pie recipe. Not only does it have less saturated fat, but also has omega-3s and other vitamins to improve health.
And now that we’re homeschooling, and making learning part of our everyday, I’m sure we’ll be baking much more often. So healthier ingredients are a huge plus! I’ll also be checking out Smart Balance’s other healthier products like milk, peanut butter and mayo, too. If you’re interested in learning more about Smart Balance and trying some recipes with your family, hop on over to Smart Balance for a complimentary 14-day meal plan.
How do you make learning and math fun for your kids? Make sure to stop by The Weekly Kids Co-Op Link Party to share your ideas with us, too!
More Ideas for Math Fun at B-Inspired Mama:
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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Smart Balance. All opinions are authentic and my own. Please see my disclosure policy.
Victoria says
This looks like so much fun and yummy all at the same time! Thanks for sharing at the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop! You were featured as one of my favorites this week :0)
Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says
Thanks for the feature, Victoria! It was pretty yummy. 😉
Erica @ What Do We Do All Day? says
Great way to learn fractions! Thanks for sharing at after school.
Jill says
I think using pie to teach fractions is a wonderful idea! Applying something enjoyable to something that can be stressful to learn would make a big difference in how the information is applied and retained.
Thank you for stopping by the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop this week. We hope to see you drop by our neck of the woods next week!
stephanie says
Math is always more fun with food isn’t it??? Thanks for sharing at After School!!
Stephanie Kay says
There’s no better way to learn fractions than with a pie!! YUM! My husband makes chocolate chip pancakes every Saturday night for supper. Our kids take turns helping him and have gotten really good and understanding fractions, different types of measurements, and how doubling the batter doubles the # of pancakes. Kids in the kitchen is such a wonderful family time activity! Thanks for sharing via Family Fun Friday.
Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says
Oh – pancakes are perfect for fractions, too! Just last night, we reviewed fractions while eating our pizza, too!
Clair Boone says
I’m homeschooling for the first year and was on the look out today for fraction help when i saw this on instagram. We don’t like apple pie (,shock i know) bit i think we’ll make a reeses pb one today! Thanks for inspiring me!
Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says
You’re so welcome, Clair! Any pie would do. You could even cut the Reeses Cups into fractions!