Coupons

Overview of Lesson

Students learn how to use coupons to save money on grocery shopping.

Goal

Students will understand how using coupons can help shoppers save money.

 

Objectives

• Students will calculate the amount of money spent on items without using coupons.

• Students will calculate the amount of money saved by using coupons.

• Students will compare the two amounts to see the value of coupon shopping.

• Older children will discover the percentage of money saved by using a coupon.

Ohio Academic Content Standards

Mathematics
Number, Number Sense and Operations (Grades 3-4)

Benchmark K:
Analyze and solve multi-step problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers.

Indicators:
12. Add and subtract whole numbers with and without regrouping.

Mathematics
Mathematical Processes (Grades 3-4)

Benchmark B:
Use an organized approach and appropriate strategies to solve multi-step problems.

Benchmark L:
Use a variety of methods and appropriate tools (mental math, paper and pencil, calculators) for computing with whole numbers.

Materials

• Grocery store circulars and/or newspaper inserts (or create a grocery list with items and prices)

• Grocery coupons brought from home (or provide coupon amounts to students)

Procedure

1. Discuss what a coupon is and how it works.

2. Divide the students into groups of two. Give each student a circular obtained from a local supermarket (or a newspaper insert, etc.). If coupons are not available, tell the students that they will pretend to have a coupon for 25 cents and that the coupon may be used on canned goods or some other chosen group of items. (Some items may use a double coupon. Designate these items ahead of time).

3. Each group must “buy” seven items (unless the teacher decides to provide a grocery list).

4. First have the groups find the total price of the items without using a coupon. Then have the groups find the price of the items with the coupons.

5. Compare each total bill to see how much money was saved.

Note: As an extension, have older students find the percentage of money saved for each item and the total bill.

Evaluation

Assess the percentage of achievement by determining the accuracy of the student’s findings.