Going Back to School Can Be Expensive!

Subjects

• Mathematics
  --Applied Math
  --Arithmetic
  --Statistics
• Social Studies
  --Economics

Grade

• 3-5
• 6-8
• 9-12

Brief Description

In this homework activity, parents help students figure the costs of going back to school.

Objectives

Students will

• work with their parents to estimate the total amount spent to get them ready to go back to school.
• accurately calculate the total spent.

Keywords

back to school, consumer

Materials Needed

• Going Back to School Can Be Expensive! worksheet

Lesson Plan

In this homework activity, students figure out what it cost to get them fully outfitted for school. (This does not include tuition expenses.)

Distribute to each student a copy of the Going Back to School Can Be Expensive! worksheet. This homework assignment involves students and parents as they work together to calculate the amount of money spent getting students ready to go back to school.

Extension Activities
When the worksheets are returned, gather data and have students figure the average total amount spent getting each student ready for school; students also might figure out the total and the average spent on each line item (for example, school supplies or new shoes).

Note: If you think parents might be sensitive about sharing information about the money they spend getting kids ready for school, explain to students that this is a homework assignment only. Tell them you will not share their responses with others; you will only check their math for a homework grade.

Assessment

Students will accurately calculate the total amount spent.

Lesson Plan Source

Education World

Submitted By

Gary Hopkins

07/30/2015