Maths Mug Cake

 

A serene, flour-dusted dream is really not the case in reality when it comes to baking learning experiences.  When maths smells and tastes like chocolate 'mug cake', our kids became engaged in the language of measurement really quickly and without any prompting what so ever because it made sense.  This was successful because of the authentic context.  (and the promise of chocolate cake within reason !) 

Here is how a simple baking session turned into a great maths lesson.

We were very hands-on and you might say it was a total sensory experience.

We looked at the difference between a cup of fluffy flour and a cup of packed sugar. 

Reading Scales, Jugs and measuring spoons: Pouring milk up to the exact measurement needed a good eye-level estimation. We actively practiced reading instructions and understanding units of measurement (ml, grams, teaspoons).

Fractions are notoriously tricky to grasp, but baking makes them visual and tangible.

We could visualise the whole but we could also see lots of light bulb moments when we realised that an 1/8 was smaller than 1/4 or a 1/2. 

This task was also really easy to level up for more of a challenge. We could think about doubling the recipe.   How much would we need of each ingredient ?

We had to manage our time well and set a time on the microwave.  We had lots of discussions about whether the time needed to change with more mugs in the microwave.

After all this success we know that we will continue to embrace the messy cooking, water play and exploring.   We aren't just making a mess—we are building amazing creative maths minds and confident bakers and makers !   

Have a go at the recipe at home and look out for other opportunities for 'everyday maths'. 

Here are some pieces of our writing from this baking experience.