School-initiated Mathematics Programme

JING SHAN PRIMARY SCHOOL

Primary 4 Shopping Trip

PR 4 SHOPPING TRIP

Objectives To provide an opportunity for the pupils to

handle real money to purchase items. To plan what to purchase and to work out the

costs involved.

PR 4 SHOPPING TRIP

Objectives To work together in a team to get the best

value for money for the items purchased. To provide pupils with a meaningful real-life

Math activity that provides learning as well as fun.

PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

Multiplying decimals up to hundredths place by a 1-digit number.

The concept of money

-how money values are written

-addition and subtraction of money values

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS

Many of the written assignments for the topic of money is based on the P4 Shopping Trip and the exercises in the workbook are selectively done.

PREPARATION FOR THE ACTIVITY

Raising the funds Pupils and their parents are informed of the

shopping activity and of the adoption of AWWA Social Services as the beneficiary of the items bought with the donations raised.

The old folks are a regular part of the audience during celebrations such as Children’s Day so the pupils and parents are aware of the help the school renders.

PREPARATION FOR THE ACTIVITY

Collecting and sharing the funds raised The total amount donated is then shared

among the number of groups in the class. Each group comprises 5-6 pupils, so in a class there could be 6-8 groups, depending on class size.

The pupils work out the amount that each group will get and actually share the amount out, sometimes seeking change from the canteen vendors. (Practice of division and rounding off)

SHARING THE DONATIONS AMONG THE GROUPS

Example of a possible scenario:Total amount collected: $ 222Number of pupils in the class: 40Number of groups: 8Amount each group gets: $ _____ Pupils work out the amount in their groups. Interesting

examples arise when the amount cannot be equally shared like $223÷8. Then pupils discuss how best to solve the problem and whether to round up or down and give reasons for their answers. Questions like how much change is left after the sharing can also be discussed.

PREPARATION FOR THE ACTIVITY

Shopping list The teacher then discusses with the class

the items the Centre has asked for and they tick off to see how many of these items are on their list.

An indicative price list of the items (from the previous year’s activity) is then given to the pupils.

PLANNING WHAT TO BUY

The pupils sit in their groups and work out how many of each item they want to buy.

After school, some of the pupils or the teachers visit the outlet to check on the prices of these items.

The next day, the pupils finalise their purchase list and work out the total amount they will spend.

MAKING THE BEST BUYS

Permutations Pupils in the groups must buy at least one of

each of 6 items from the list given by the Home/School.

Pupils work out in their groups the permutations to maximise the number of different items which would get them as close to their given amount to spend without exceeding it.

EXAMPLE OF A LIST OF ITEMS TO PURCHASE

ITEM UNIT PRICE NUMBER OF ITEM TO BUY

TOTAL PRICE PAID FOR ITEM

MILO

HORLICKS

SUGAR

SALT

COOKING OIL

BISCUITS

TOTAL PAID

PERMUTATIONS

This activity involves a lot of Mathematical calculations and thought.

The pupils work out their cost in tables and then compare and contrast the options available before reaching a decision. (Topics: Multiplying decimals and Money)

The teacher acts as a facilitator and at no time offers any solution to the problem.

PLANNING WHAT TO BUY

MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK

Teacher and pupils discuss how to make value buys, for example:-

a) Would it be better value for money to buy a 2-kg pack of sugar for $2.70 or 2x1-kg packs at $1.45 each?

b) Would it be better value to buy a 3l Brand A cooking oil for $10 or 3l Brand A+ 250ml free for $12?

Pupils work out their answers and offer their reasons for what they feel are the value buys.

PLANNING WHAT TO BUY

It is interesting that on the day of the shopping trip, some items may be either cheaper or more expensive and pupils need to make changes to the shopping list.

THE SHOPPING TRIP

Accompanied by teachers and parent volunteers, the pupils in a class make their way to the nearby ‘Shop and Save’ outlet.

Pupils shop in their group, total up their purchases and double-check their shopping list as well as make changes if there are price discrepancies.

MAKING WISE BUYS

PAYING FOR THE PURCHASES

MAKING THE PURCHASES

Pupils may source for special offers and compare the same items of different brands to make better choices.

For example, they can choose between a housebrand of digestives for a branded one and work out the savings.

POST SHOPPING

Pupils return to school with their purchases and work out a table showing their purchases and amount spent.

The amount has to tally with the receipt issued for items purchased.

The groups then present their tables during a gallery walk.

HAPPY SHOPPERS

EXAMPLE OF A COMPLETED TABLE WITH AMOUNT GIVEN OF $30

ITEM UNIT PRICE NUMBER OF ITEM TO BUY

TOTAL PRICE PAID FOR ITEM

MILO $5.50 1 $5.50

HORLICKS $4.90 1 $4.90

SUGAR (2KG) $2.70 2 $5.40

SALT (250G) $0.20 3 $0.60

COOKING OIL (3l) $10.00 1 $10.00

BISCUITS $1.20 3 $3.60

TOTAL PAID $30.00

POST SHOPPING

In their groups, pupils may then take note and work out some of the following:-

-the total amount spent on each item, as a class

-the total amount spent during the trip

-the most common item bought, etc

EXAMPLE OF A TABLE OF PURCHASES AS A CLASS

ITEM NUMBER OF ITEM BOUGHT TOTAL AMOUNT SPENT

MILO

HORLICKS

SUGAR (2KG)

SALT (250G)

BISCUITS

STRETCHING THE MIND

Pupils may have difficulty working out multiplication of a money value by a 2-digit number, like $4.90 x 12.(12 tins of MILO)

This is where pupils’ thinking can be stretched and they can work in groups to offer their solutions.

POST SHOPPING

Pupils pack similar items together and store them in a special room for the visit to the Centre.

During the visit, some of the P4 pupils interact and entertain the residents.

It is a CIP activity that the pupils enjoy and for which positive feedback has been obtained.