Class 4L began the term with an introduction to fractions - perhaps one of the trickiest mathematical concepts to teach to children. But by keeping it practical (cooking up a feast), we integrated weights and measurements with dividing the whole into parts.
The ancient Egyptians introduced the concept of fractions as the bakers delivered the bread to gangs of workers at the pyramids. The first worker marked the bread into eight pieces and the last worker, the eighth person, received the first piece. Hence the first person ate the last slice. We made our Egyptian bread using the flour we grew in Class 3. Very rustic and authentic. Just like an Egyptian!
Mandala form drawings were divided into fractions and our mums received beautiful cards and poems.
As we entered into the realm of Gilgamesh and Enkidu, the children delighted in dressing up and immersing in Sumerian culture. They relished in questioning the plights of Gilgamesh as he strove to find his way, help his companion, and return to the world where all was familiar and life would continue forever as it ever was. Such is the age of the ten-year-old child.
Linda Mayer
Class 4 Teacher
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