Links to the British Columbia Mathematics Curriculum:

• A2 – demonstrate an understanding of the addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of decimals (for more than 1-digit divisors or 2-digit multipliers, the use of technology is expected) to solve problems
• A3 – solve problems involving percents
• A6 – demonstrate an understanding of addition and subtraction of integers, concretely, pictorially, and symbolically from 1% to 100%

Links to the New Learning Standards:

• Implement multiple strategies to solve problems in both abstract and real-life situations using different cultural perspectives
• Develop, construct, and apply mathematical understanding through play, inquiry, and problem solving

Brief Overview of the Lesson:

After a discussion about how to shop for the best deals, the students will complete a worksheet that determines the unit prices for various items. The teacher will lead a discussion by taking up the answers. The students will mark each other’s papers.

Estimated Time Required for Implementation:

One class period

Materials Needed:

Copies of the handout “What’s The Best Deal?”

Suggested Implementation Strategy:

• Ask the class if they have ever bought something and then found out later that they paid more than they had to pay.
• What could they have done to avoid paying too much?
• Ask the class about the strategies people can use to get the best prices, e.g., wait for a sale, buy at the end of the season, use coupons, comparison shop, etc.
• Hand out the worksheets and tell the class that they are going to compare some prices to find the best deals.
• Remind the class that may need to convert metric system units in order to answer the questions.
• Have the students exchange worksheets so they can mark each other’s papers. The class takes up the worksheet answers and discusses which deal is best.

Evaluation:

• Collect the worksheets to record the marks.

Possible Links to the Home Program:

• Ages 11-13 – Activities: Local – Shopping List

Extended Learning Opportunities:

• Ask the students to calculate the difference in the costs for each item.
• Ask the class to bring in ads, magazines, and catalogues. The students could choose two items and compare prices to find the best deal.