BALTIMORE — Math class for the sixth graders at the Living Classrooms Foundation Crossroads School in Harbor East looked a little different on Monday.
The students were given an assignment to plan a Thanksgiving meal, price out the ingredients and stay within a certain budget.
"They’re applying all their math stuff with ratios, doing a reading discussion on it so that integrates with all the Common Core standards, but it’s also everyday life," said Katie Jones, a math teacher at the school.
The students worked with volunteers from Constellation to pick recipes and price out each item. Constellation, which sits right across the street from the school, has been working with the Crossroads School for several years on this Thanksgiving project.
"[It's] the opportunity to come work with our neighbor, to have time to interact with the Crossroads students, and then know that we are giving to families in need who are right here in our community and part of our neighborhood," said Laura Tomney, an employee with Constellation who also help set up the project.
The students work in teams to tackle a particular side dish. 11-year-old Lailah Hayes felt confident her team could come up with a potato dish while staying under their $18 budget.
"We’re going to compare prices and stuff to see the best things that we can get but we also have to be mindful of our budget," she said.
After the teams planned out their meal, they walked to Whole Foods in Harbor East to do their shopping. For many of the students, it was their first time grocery shopping on their own.
Hayes team let out a small cheer at the check-out line when they learned they came under budget by $1.37.
What made this activity even more special is all of the food will be donated to families at the school who are in need of a Thanksgiving meal.
"We really went over budget trying to make sure we got good stuff for them," said one student. "So I thought it was really nice of the school to let us have this opportunity to do that."
"It felt really nice to help people in need, because if you think about it, you’re with your family having a great Thanksgiving meal but there are other families who don’t have a Thanksgiving meal," said another student. "So it brings a smile to you to give to other people."
An A+ for these students on math and compassion.
