Middle Gate Fourth Graders Learn Math And More From Chili’s Manager

By Eliza Hallabeck

Middle Gate fourth graders in Linda Baron’s class were visited on Tuesday, November 15, by Lou Noujaim, the manager of Chili’s in Danbury, following a study of math.

“You will always use math for the rest of your life,” said Mr Noujaim to the students.

Ms Baron explained the visit was a culmination of studying real life math, including calculating orders off the Chili’s menu based on two family members’ “orders.”

“Each person had to order a starter, entree, drink, and dessert,” said Ms Baron. “Then they had to add it up correctly. To differentiate, some students then rounded the total and figured out six percent tax. Some went so far to figure out a generous 20 percent tip.”

Students were provided with a menu from Chili’s and checks on which to calculate the meal totals.

On Tuesday, Mr Noujaim asked students for other examples of how they use math outside of school. Students listed calculating mileage for a car trip, measuring baking ingredients, and measuring the space between baseball bases as some examples.

Mr Noujaim also told the students when people eat out at restaurants they use estimation to determine whether they have enough money to cover their meal.

Also during the school project, Ms Baron said she had students read the different food descriptions on the Chili’s menus, and asked students to write their own to tie literacy and math together.

“They had to come up with a name for one food item, and try to entice the audience with descriptors (subjects and adjectives),” said Ms Baron by e-mail. “The kids were so excited, their mouths were watering when we analyzed the way a couple of food items were written.”

Mr Noujaim also asked the students to name other areas of the restaurant business they think math is used in. Students listed calculating the number of seats available and the estimated wait times for guests as other as examples of math.

“Some students now are telling me that when they go to a restaurant, they not only read the menu to select what they want to eat, but they are talking with their parents about beautiful language, i.e., word choice that is on the menu! How exciting,” said Ms Baron.