Grocery Races

Designed by:  Anna Messer, Bradley Elementary

1) CORE CURRICULUM OBJECTIVE:  create and solve problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers using paper and pencil, estimation, mental computation, and calculators.  (5PS1-7)

GRADE LEVEL: Five      SUBJECT:  Math (Problem Solving)

2) OVERVIEW: Students will participate in a timed shopping game that gives them the opportunity to create and practice solving real-life problems using a variety of mathematical skills.  A mock store will be set up in the classroom and the students will use a shopping list to purchase items from the grocery store.  Each student will work in a cooperative group and will be competing against other classroom teams.  Points will be assigned to each group based on items purchased and the winner will be determined by calculating total points at the end of the game.

3) FOCUS/ESSENTIAL QUESTION(S): Why do we need to know how to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and estimate?  How can we apply these skills to real-life situations?

4) TIME FRAME: one, fifty minute class session

5) RESOURCES/MATERIALS:

TEACHER = empty food packages (cans, boxes, cartons, etc.) with a teacher created price sticker, a timer or watch with a second hand, chart paper, markers, 6 crates or boxes, and grocery lists that detail all items available for purchase.

STUDENTS = pencils, paper, and calculators.

6) CULMINATING ASSESSMENT: Each cooperative group member will hand in a final tally sheet that contains the following information: 

1. assigned spending limit;  

2. amount they must come within; 

3. items purchased; 

4. price of each item; all mathematical calculations used to figure total spent (must include 

5. estimation, 

6. addition, 

7. subtraction, 

8. multiplication, and 

9. division); and finally, 

10. the total amount spent.   

Each of the 10 requirements listed above will be worth 10 points each.  A total of 10 points will be docked for each requirement that is left off of the final tally sheet. The following grading scale will be used to assess the total points earned.

100 points = A

90 points = B

80 points = C

70 points = D

Below 60  = F

20 bonus points will be given to students who spend the exact amount assigned.

7) INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES: prior to the beginning of the lesson, label the grocery items with price stickers and set up an area of the room where they can be displayed for the game.  You also need to type a grocery list of items available and the prices of each item.  Have a copy available for every student in your class.

A.) Gather the class into a large group or circle on the floor.  Ask the focus questions and give the students the opportunity to respond.  Have them lead a class discussion on the different ways we use math in our daily lives.

B.) Direct the students' attention to the "grocery store" that is set up in the room.  Ask them why they think the display is there and how it might apply to the things we were discussing.  Give the students an overview of the lesson and the requirements for the final assessment.  Explain that each group member will be given a spending limit of $40.00.  They must spend at least $35.00 to remain in the game.  Each race will last 5 minutes and students must use estimation to help in the selection of their grocery items.  One point will be given for each item purchased only if you do not go over your limit and spent at least $35.00.  At the end of the game, you will tally up your purchases using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.  The group with the most combined points at the end wins.

C.) Break the class up into groups of four or five and assign each group member a number 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5.  Have all number 1's from each group come to the front of the room. They will compete against each other during this race.  Give them each a shopping list, paper, a pencil, and a crate to put their groceries in. Remind them to estimate their amount spent as they go along and record it on their paper.  Set the timer to 5 minutes and let them begin shopping in the "grocery store".  When the timer goes off they must return to their group and begin to calculate their purchases.  They may use a calculator if needed.  Remind them that they must include all of the required information listed in the assessment portion of this lesson.  They may give themselves one point for each item purchased only if they spent at least $35.00 and did not go over $40.00.  Keep a record on chart paper of the total points earned by each group during all of the rounds. 

D.) Return the grocery items to the store and repeat the procedure until eachgroup member has had the opportunity to participate.  After all of the 2's, 3's, 4's, and 5's have competed, add up the total points for each cooperative group on the chart paper.  The group with the most points wins the game. 

E.) Discuss and review how this game allowed us to apply the skills of estimation, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to a real-life situation.  Collect the tally sheets from each student and use the scale in the assessment portion to assign a grade if desired.