The purpose of this project is to engage students in a real-world exploration of work and pay through the lens of proportional relationships. Over the course of a week, students will delve into the economic realities of their community, using math to analyze the fairness and sustainability of local wages. This project encourages critical thinking and empathy as students connect mathematical concepts to the lives of workers around them, fostering a deeper understanding of economic justice and community dynamics.

Students will develop an understanding of proportional relationships by applying mathematical concepts to real-world scenarios involving work and pay. They will enhance their analytical skills by calculating and comparing the cost of living with job wages in their community. Through narrative writing, students will articulate their findings and reasoning, demonstrating their ability to connect mathematical analysis with real-life implications. Additionally, students will cultivate socio-emotional skills, such as teamwork and communication, as they reflect on the challenges encountered and lessons learned during the project.

Students will create a comprehensive cost of living report that includes data on housing, food, transportation, and other essential expenses in their community. They will also produce comparative charts and graphs that illustrate the relationship between local wages and living costs. As a final product, students will write a narrative essay detailing the life of a local worker, integrating their mathematical findings to argue for what constitutes a fair wage. Additionally, students will maintain a reflective journal documenting their socio-emotional journey and teamwork experiences throughout the project.

Begin the project with a community guest speaker session featuring a local worker from a diverse field, such as a nurse, teacher, or construction worker, who can share insights into their job responsibilities and wages. Follow this with a class discussion where students brainstorm the various factors that influence job wages and cost of living. Encourage students to ask questions about the speaker's experiences and how they perceive the fairness of their wages. This will set the stage for students to explore and analyze proportional relationships in the context of real-world economics.

At the end of the project, students will host a community exhibition where they present their narrative essays and mathematical findings on fair wages. They will create visual displays, such as charts and graphs, to illustrate the cost of living calculations and wage comparisons. Invite local workers and community members to engage in discussions, providing students with real-world feedback and insights. This exhibition will serve as a platform for students to showcase their understanding of proportional relationships and their impact on the community.