Made macarons

English Language Arts

• The student learned about following written instructions and recipes by reading and understanding the macaron recipe. This improves their reading comprehension and ability to follow procedural texts.
• They practiced descriptive writing by writing about their experience making macarons, including the sensory details and the process they followed.
• The activity encouraged them to explore different adjectives and descriptive language to accurately depict the taste, texture, and appearance of the macarons in their written reflections.

Math

• The student applied fraction and measurement concepts while measuring ingredients, understanding the ratios needed for the macaron recipe, and scaling the recipe as per the required number of servings.
• They practiced their arithmetic skills during the process of doubling or halving the recipe based on the number of macarons they wanted to make.
• The activity also involved the understanding and practice of precision in measurements, especially when dealing with delicate baking ingredients like almond flour and egg whites.

Continued development related to this activity can involve experimenting with different flavors and fillings for the macarons, encouraging the student to write creative and persuasive descriptions of their new flavors and practicing math by adjusting ingredient proportions to create their own unique variations.

Book Recommendations

• Tilly's Kitchen Takeover: Macarons and Valentines by Tilly Ramsay: This book provides step-by-step instructions for making macarons and also includes stories related to Valentine's Day, appealing to teenagers who enjoy baking and romantic narratives.
• The Language of Baklava by Diana Abu-Jaber: This novel blends memoir and recipes, incorporating themes of family, culture, and identity, making it a compelling read for young bakers interested in both literature and baking.
• The Cupcake Queen by Heather Hepler: This young adult novel involves a protagonist who runs a cupcake business, giving a different perspective on the baking world and including themes of friendship, creativity, and entrepreneurship.