Savvy Spenders: Meal Planning on a Budget!

8th Grade

Project
2 weeks

Savvy Spenders: Meal Planning on a Budget!

Daniel B

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to equip students with practical skills for making informed purchasing decisions by comparing product prices and quality. Through hands-on activities, students will learn to balance a budget while ensuring nutritional value, fostering critical thinking and real-world problem-solving abilities. By engaging in this experiential learning process, students will develop strategies for smart shopping that can be applied in everyday life.

Learning goals

Students will develop critical thinking and decision-making skills by comparing product prices and nutritional value to make informed shopping choices. They will enhance their research abilities by analyzing nutritional information and understanding how to balance cost with health benefits. Additionally, students will practice budgeting and planning by creating a meal plan that aligns with a set budget while maintaining nutritional adequacy. Through reflection, students will gain insights into effective strategies and refine their approach to smart shopping.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.7.RP.A.2: Recognize and represent proportional relationships between quantities.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.7: Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions for further research and investigation.

Products

Students will create a comprehensive meal plan that includes a shopping list, budget breakdown, and nutritional analysis. Throughout the project, they will develop a comparison chart that evaluates various food products based on price, quality, and nutritional value. At the conclusion of the project, students will present a detailed report and visual presentation of their meal plan and budget strategies at the 'Smart Shopper Showcase.'

Launch

Begin the project with a visit to a local grocery store or a virtual tour of an online marketplace. Encourage students to explore different aisles or categories, noting the variety of products available, their prices, and nutritional labels. Have students take notes on their observations, focusing on how they might choose items for a meal within a budget. This immersive experience will spark curiosity and set the stage for their smart shopping project.

Exhibition

Students will participate in a 'Smart Shopper Showcase' where they present their meal plans and budget strategies to peers, teachers, and family members. Each presentation will include a visual display of their meal, a breakdown of costs, nutritional information, and the reasoning behind their choices. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback, encouraging students to articulate their decision-making process and reflect on their learning journey.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Activities	Introduction to Smart Shopping - Begin with a virtual tour of an online marketplace, noting the variety of products, prices, and nutritional labels to understand the concept of smart shopping (30 min)	Exploring Nutritional Information - Research and analyze nutritional information of various food products to understand how to balance cost with health benefits (30 min)	Comparative Analysis - Start creating a comparison chart that evaluates food products based on price, quality, and nutritional value, discussing initial observations with your partner (30 min)
Deliverables	1. Complete a comparison chart that evaluates at least three different food products based on price, quality, and nutritional value. 2. Submit an initial draft of a meal plan that outlines a basic idea of what you might prepare, including a rough budget estimate.
Preparation	1. Arrange a visit to a local grocery store or prepare a virtual tour of an online grocery marketplace. 2. Gather nutritional information resources or access to databases for various food products. 3. Prepare a template for the comparison chart that includes columns for product name, price, quality, and nutritional information. 4. Collect examples of balanced meal plans and budget breakdowns for students to use as references. 5. Ensure access to tools for creating visual displays, such as poster boards or digital presentation software.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Activities	Compare and Contrast Product Prices - Analyze and compare the prices and nutritional information of different food products to determine the best value for money while maintaining nutritional adequacy (30 min)	Create a Budget Meal Plan - Develop and finalize a meal plan that aligns with the set budget, ensuring that it includes a balanced selection of nutritious food options (30 min)	Prepare for Smart Shopper Showcase - Organize and prepare visual presentations that include meal plans, budget breakdowns, and nutritional analysis for the upcoming showcase (30 min)
Deliverables	1. Complete a detailed meal plan with a shopping list, cost breakdown, and nutritional analysis. 2. Finalize and create a comparison chart evaluating food products based on price, quality, and nutritional value. 3. Prepare and present a visual presentation for the 'Smart Shopper Showcase.'
Preparation	1. Gather nutritional guides and budget templates to distribute for meal planning. 2. Prepare a list of online resources or apps for comparing product prices and nutritional information. 3. Set up a digital platform for students to create their visual presentations (e.g., Google Slides or Canva). 4. Arrange for any additional materials needed for the 'Smart Shopper Showcase' such as poster boards or digital displays.