Bauru Educator Boosts Math Scores Using Chocolate Fractions Project

Professor Leila Pereira Sandes, an educator in Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil, implemented a project utilizing tangible materials to teach abstract mathematical concepts, aligning with progressive pedagogical philosophies that emphasize active engagement. This approach aims to reduce the perceived difficulty of mathematics by embedding learning within relatable, real-world experiences, representing a local application of broader educational theories within the Brazilian public school system.

During the 2025 academic year, Professor Sandes, who teaches fourth-grade pupils at Escola Estadual Professor Luiz Braga, developed the "Fantastic Chocolate Factory" project to clarify the principles of fractions for her students, aged 9 to 11. The methodology structured instruction across four escalating levels of complexity using distinct learning stations. Initial instruction involved visual aids, specifically fabricated cardboard representations of fractional parts, before transitioning to a culminating, hands-on activity involving the practical division of an actual, irregularly shaped chocolate bar to simulate equitable distribution.

This tactile engagement correlated directly with measurable academic improvement. Class averages on the Paulista Test, a key regional assessment, increased substantially, rising from 57.4% to 72.2% by the third trimester of 2025. This significant performance elevation within a single academic period highlights the effectiveness of linking mathematical concepts to sensory activities like the chocolate factory simulation.

The pedagogical success received official recognition in 2025 when the Bauru Board of Education selected the work as a best practice for replication. Furthermore, the methodology was featured as part of the state's larger educational reform initiative, the "Alfabetiza Juntos SP" program. Launched in 2024 by Decree No. 68.335 in February 2024, this state program mandates collaboration between the state and its 645 municipalities to achieve 90% literacy by 2026. Professor Sandes' success in fostering mathematical confidence directly supports the state objective of ensuring foundational numeracy across early elementary grades, an effort bolstered by R$ 300 million allocated to the initiative in the preceding year for teacher training and material distribution.