Introduction
As a fifth-grade teacher at Miles Jones Elementary School in Richmond, Virginia, I enjoy the experience of working in a classroom in which I teach all subjects. The students I work with come from an urban environment and much of the school population consists of Black or Hispanic students. Last year, out of the school’s 505 students 54% of students were Black while 40% of students were Hispanic. This provides my classroom with students that have different cultural backgrounds that lead to interesting learning and growth experiences.
As most schools in Richmond are, Miles Jones is a Title 1 school receiving financial support for the majority of students as most come from low-income households. This can bring varied elements of economic, social, and emotional strengths and weaknesses into the classroom depending on that student's background. The goal in fifth grade being end of year success in understanding of English, Math, and Science.
This planned unit aligns with the understanding that achievement in these subjects is the ultimate goal. The use of yeast in pizza dough making gives students a diverse way to investigate scientific inquiry by giving them opportunities to not only observe but also work on hands-on experiments that help make science come to life. By the end, students will have a practical understanding of how yeast works while also introducing them to the art of baking and how one of their favorite foods is created.
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