Submitted photo Jason Suverison, left, and Lillian Nitsky work on their gingerbread creations as part of their math class taught by Janie Lucas, far right. Students in Lucas’ classes at Baker Elementary School have been completing a number of gingerbread-inspired math lessons ahead of the hands-on activity of building gingerbread houses.

VIENNA ­– Baker Elementary School’s fifth-grade students had a real treat as teacher Janice Lucas transformed her math lessons into a festive adventure the last week of school before holiday break.

Students in Lucas’ classes have been completing a number of gingerbread-inspired math lessons ahead of the hands-on activity of building gingerbread houses.

For a decade, Lucas has been infusing lessons with gingerbreads, covering everything from budgeting for a gingerbread kit to calculating the area, perimeter and volume of their sweet creations. Parents play an important role, following a provided recipe to create a white icing for the mini milk carton and graham cracker houses.

“I’ve been doing this for about 10 years, and it brings great pleasure to bring a little magic to the lives of my students,” Lucas said.

Her colleagues joined in the festive spirit, with Jessica McIntyre incorporating writing assignments that centered around gingerbreads and Etta Atwell leading students in crafting handprint snowman ornaments that were placed in homemade gingerbread house bags.