Making tortillas

Math

• The child practiced counting by following a recipe that required measuring ingredients such as flour and water.
• They learned about fractions by dividing the dough into equal portions before rolling them out.
• The child practiced addition and subtraction by adjusting the recipe based on the number of tortillas they wanted to make.
• They gained an understanding of geometry by shaping the tortillas into circles.

Science

• The child learned about the properties of matter by observing how the dough changed from a sticky texture to a pliable one.
• They explored the concept of heat transfer by cooking the tortillas on a hot griddle and observing the changes in color and texture.
• The child gained an understanding of chemical reactions by witnessing the chemical changes that occur during the cooking process.
• They learned about nutrition by discussing the ingredients used in the tortillas and their impact on health.

Engage the child in further development by encouraging them to explore different types of tortillas from various cultures. They can research the ingredients and cooking methods used in different regions, promoting cultural awareness and expanding their culinary knowledge. Additionally, you can incorporate a math activity by asking the child to scale the recipe up or down based on the number of people they are serving.

Book Recommendations

• Tortillas and Lullabies by Lynn Reiser: This book tells the story of a girl named Rosa who helps her grandmother make tortillas while learning about her Mexican heritage.
• Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto: This book follows Maria as she accidentally loses her mother's wedding ring in the batch of tamales they are making for Christmas, leading to a fun-filled adventure.
• Lucia's Neighborhood by George Ancona: In this book, Lucia learns about her Mexican-American neighborhood and its traditions, including making tortillas.