Math & Science Gumbo

Visiting the Virtual Grocery Store

Overview of Lesson

Using estimation, students determine if they can purchase enough of the items in their recipe to make a dinner for 12 guests.

Goal

Students will learn how to plan for purchases.

Objectives

Students will be given a fixed amount of money and specific items to purchase.
Students will use newspaper grocery inserts and estimation to determine if they have sufficient funds.

Ohio Academic Content Standards

Mathematics
Number, Number Sense and Operations

Benchmark I:
Use a variety of strategies, including proportional reasoning, to estimate, compute, solve and explain solutions to problems involving integers, fractions, decimals and percents.

Indicators:
Grade 5
13. Estimate the results of computations involving whole numbers, fractions and decimals, using a variety of strategies.

Grade 6
13. Estimate reasonable solutions to problem situations involving fractions and decimals.

Mathematics
Measurement

Benchmark B:
Convert units of length, area, volume, mass and time within the same measurement system.

Indicators:
Grade 5
5. Make conversions within the same measurement system while performing computations.

Materials

Newspaper inserts
Paper
Pencils or pens
Student Handout (web page) or Student Handout (PDF file)

Procedure

This lesson can be implemented in different ways to fit your classroom needs.

Divide students into groups of three or four.

Give each group a list of items to “purchase.” The student handout gives a list of items needed. The recipe makes enough food for six people. The students are to purchase enough food for 12 people.

Give each group a grocery store insert from the newspaper.

Within a determined amount of time, the groups are to locate the items they need to purchase, estimate the price and write the price on the handout. They are to total their purchase and determine if they have enough money.

Option: Visiting a virtual grocery store

If newspaper inserts are not available, students may visit an online grocery store.

Introduce students to a Web site that allows consumers to shop for groceries (i.e. www.schnucks.com). Students fill in their name, password for shopping, address, etc. The students should use a fictional ZIP code so that the site will respond that the address is outside of the delivery area and therefore, the students will be “test driving.”

Have the students follow the procedure listed above.

Evaluation

Use the students’ completed handouts and the rubric for evaluation.

Rubric: Visiting the Virtual Grocery Store

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Strategy / Procedures	Typically uses an efficient and effective strategy to solve the problem(s).	Typically uses an effective strategy to solve the problem(s).	Sometimes uses an effective strategy to solve problems, but does not do it consistently.	Rarely uses an effective strategy to solve problems.
Mathematical Concepts	Explanation shows complete understanding of the mathematical concepts used to solve the problem(s).	Explanation shows substantial understanding of the mathematical concepts used to solve the problem(s).	Explanation shows some understanding of the mathematical concepts needed to solve the problem(s).	Explanation shows very limited understanding of the underlying concepts needed to solve the problem(s) OR is not written.
Mathematical Reasoning	Uses complex and refined mathematical reasoning.	Uses effective mathematical reasoning.	There is some evidence of mathematical reasoning.	There is little evidence of mathematical reasoning.
Neatness, Organization, Grammar and Spelling	The work is presented in a neat, clear, organized fashion that is easy to read.	The work is presented in a neat and organized fashion that is usually easy to read. Grammar and spelling are generally correct.	The work is presented in an organized fashion but may be hard to read at times. There are some grammar and spelling errors.	The work appears sloppy and unorganized. It is hard to know what information goes together. Grammar and spelling are poor.