6th Grade
Project
5 weeks
Pricing Puzzles: Eco & Digital Discovery!
CCSS.Math.Content.6.EE.A.2
CCSS.Math.Content.6.EE.A.3
CCSS.Math.Content.6.EE.B.6
CCSS.Math.Content.6.EE.B.7
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Purpose
The School Store Project aims to engage 6th-grade students in a hands-on learning experience where they apply mathematical concepts to real-world business scenarios. Through creating and pricing eco-friendly and digital products, students will develop a deeper understanding of expressions and equations, enhancing their problem-solving skills. By collaborating with community partners and participating in interactive activities, students will gain insights into market dynamics and the importance of sustainable business practices.
Learning goals
Students will develop their ability to write, read, and evaluate mathematical expressions using variables to represent numbers in real-world contexts. They will apply the properties of operations to generate equivalent expressions and solve equations related to pricing strategies for products in a school store. Through hands-on activities, students will enhance their understanding of how mathematical expressions can be used to analyze consumer behavior and profitability, while also gaining insights into sustainable business practices.
Standards
- CCSS.Math.Content.6.EE.A.2 - Write, read, and evaluate expressions in which letters stand for numbers.
- CCSS.Math.Content.6.EE.A.3 - Apply the properties of operations to generate equivalent expressions.
- CCSS.Math.Content.6.EE.B.6 - Use variables to represent numbers and write expressions when solving a real-world or mathematical problem; understand that a variable can represent an unknown number, or, depending on the purpose at hand, any number in a specified set.
- CCSS.Math.Content.6.EE.B.7 - Solve real-world and mathematical problems by writing and solving equations of the form x + p = q and px = q for cases in which p, q and x are all nonnegative rational numbers.
Products
Students will create a line of eco-friendly school supplies and digital products, such as recycled notebooks and educational e-books, to be sold in the school store. They will develop pricing strategies for these products, ensuring they are both profitable and accessible. Throughout the project, students will document their progress and reflections in a journal, culminating in a 'Math in Motion Fair' where they will showcase their products and pricing models.
Launch
Kick off the project with a 'Market Research Scavenger Hunt' where students explore different areas of the school to gather data on student preferences and potential product ideas for the school store. Provide clues and challenges that require solving equations and expressions to unlock information about what products might be popular among their peers. This interactive activity will spark curiosity and set the stage for understanding how mathematical expressions can be applied to real-world business scenarios.
Exhibition
The 'Math in Motion Fair' will showcase students' interactive exhibits, where they will present their eco-friendly and digital product lines alongside detailed pricing strategies. Each exhibit will feature hands-on activities that challenge visitors to engage with the mathematical expressions and equations used in determining product pricing. Students will explain their reasoning and demonstrate how they applied mathematical concepts to ensure profitability, offering an engaging experience for peers, teachers, and community partners.
Plan
| Week 1 | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Project Kickoff - Launch the School Store Project with a 'Market Research Scavenger Hunt' where students gather data on student preferences using clues and challenges that require solving equations and expressions. (45 min)
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Exploring Mathematical Expressions - Introduce students to the concept of using variables to represent numbers in expressions, focusing on real-world examples related to the school store project. (20 min)
Product Ideation Session - Facilitate brainstorming for eco-friendly and digital product ideas for the school store, guiding students to consider mathematical expressions for pricing strategies. (25 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Complete a 'Market Research Report' documenting findings from the scavenger hunt. This report will include data on student preferences and potential product ideas, as well as initial thoughts on pricing strategies.
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| Preparation |
1. Prepare scavenger hunt materials, including clues and equations related to product pricing that students will solve during the activity.
2. Gather resources on eco-friendly products and digital product ideas to inspire student brainstorming sessions. 3. Provide examples of mathematical expressions and equations that relate to pricing strategies for products to guide students in their understanding of using variables in real-world contexts. 4. Arrange for a discussion session with a local bank representative or university economics professor to introduce students to the importance of understanding variables in financial equations. |
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| Week 2 | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Understanding Variables - Guide students to explore how variables can represent unknown numbers and apply this understanding to creating expressions for potential product pricing. (20 min)
Eco-Friendly Product Research - Facilitate a session where students research eco-friendly materials for school supplies, linking their findings to potential cost expressions. (25 min)
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Expression Workshop - Engage students in writing expressions using variables to represent product quantities and prices, focusing on real-world application in the school store context. (25 min)
Peer Feedback Session - Organize a peer review where students present their initial pricing expressions and receive constructive feedback focused on clarity and accuracy. (20 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Completed product design sketches for eco-friendly school supplies and digital products.
2. Mathematical expressions and equations representing preliminary pricing models for each product. |
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| Preparation |
1. Arrange visit with the local bank representative to discuss financial equations and profitability.
2. Gather materials for product design sketches, such as paper, drawing tools, and access to digital design software. 3. Prepare instructional materials that introduce variable expressions and equations, including real-world examples related to product pricing. 4. Set up a brainstorming area with resources on eco-friendly materials and digital product creation. 5. Provide access to the data collected during the Market Research Scavenger Hunt for analysis in the classroom. |
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| Week 3 | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Variable Exploration - Students will explore how different variables can impact pricing and profitability in their product lines, using real-world scenarios from the school store project. (20 min)
Eco-Friendly Product Design - Students continue developing their eco-friendly product line, integrating mathematical expressions to calculate costs and potential selling prices. (25 min)
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Digital Product Pricing Models - Facilitate a session where students create and evaluate pricing models for their digital products, using equations to maximize revenue and accessibility. (25 min)
Peer Review and Feedback - Students present their pricing models to peers, receiving feedback on clarity, accuracy, and potential improvements. (20 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Completed pricing models for each product line, including mathematical expressions and potential profit calculations.
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| Preparation |
1. Gather materials such as paper, markers, and calculators for students to use while developing and refining their pricing models.
2. Provide access to digital devices for research on market trends and pricing strategies. 3. Arrange a follow-up session with the economics professor or local banker to provide feedback on students' pricing models. 4. Prepare reflection journals for students to document their thought process and any adjustments made to their pricing strategies. |
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| Week 4 | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Cost Analysis Workshop - Guide students in calculating cost expressions for eco-friendly and digital products, focusing on understanding how variables impact profitability. (20 min)
Pricing Strategy Development - Facilitate a session where students create pricing models using their cost expressions, aiming for both accessibility and profitability. (25 min)
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Peer Review and Revision - Organize a session for students to present their pricing models and receive feedback from classmates, focusing on clarity and accuracy of expressions. (20 min)
Community Partner Session - Host a discussion with a local bank representative on the role of variables in financial equations and how they apply to business profitability. (25 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Completed pricing models for eco-friendly and digital products, including detailed mathematical expressions and equations justifying their pricing strategies.
2. Reflection journal entries documenting the thought process behind their pricing decisions and any changes made after peer feedback. |
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| Preparation |
1. Ensure access to calculators and digital tools for students to experiment with different pricing variables and scenarios.
2. Prepare a feedback rubric to guide students during the peer review session, focusing on clarity, mathematical accuracy, and feasibility of pricing strategies. 3. Set up presentation materials, such as poster boards or digital slides, for students to visually present their pricing models to peers. |
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| Week 5 | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Mock Sales Event Preparation - Students finalize their pricing strategies and set up scenarios for the mock sales event, ensuring they apply equations to demonstrate profitability. (20 min)
Interactive Quiz Game - Engage students in a fun quiz game where they solve pricing problems using equations, reinforcing their mastery of mathematical expressions. (25 min)
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Mock Sales Event - Host the mock sales event where students apply their pricing strategies in simulated scenarios, demonstrating their ability to write and solve equations for profitability. (45 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Finalized interactive exhibit including eco-friendly and digital product lines with detailed pricing strategies.
2. Student reflection journal documenting their learning journey and insights gained from the project. |
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| Preparation |
1. Gather all materials needed for the interactive exhibits, including display boards, sample products, and any digital devices or visual aids required for presentations.
2. Coordinate with community partners such as the local bank representative and university professor to attend the 'Math in Motion Fair' and provide feedback on student presentations. 3. Set up the exhibition space to accommodate all student exhibits, ensuring there is enough space for hands-on activities and visitor interaction. 4. Prepare any additional resources needed for visitors, such as handouts that explain the mathematical concepts used or guides for the hands-on activities. |
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