F1.2 Estimate and calculate the cost of transactions involving multiple items priced in whole-dollar amounts, not including sales tax, and the amount of change needed when payment is made in cash, using mental math.
Activity 1: A Day of Activities
Brainstorm with students what activities in the community they would like to do over the weekend (go to the movies, have lunch at a restaurant, have an ice cream soda, go play at the park). Have students estimate the dollar costs (excluding sales tax) of the various activities and post the prices on the board (some activities may be free). Have students use mental math to estimate and calculate the price of a day with 2 or 3 activities of their choice. Consider another way to have students check their estimations, other than calculating. For example, students could be asked to find someone who chose the same 2 activities, to compare estimations, and come to consensus if necessary. Encourage students to estimate and then calculate the cheapest or most expensive day.
Activity 2: The Fruit and Vegetable Stand
Present a list of several fruits and vegetables and their prices rounded to the nearest dollar.
Present students the following scenario:
You would like to prepare fruit and vegetable trays, with a budget of $43.
Assign students to work in teams, ask to find the different possible combinations of fruits and vegetables. Ask students to explain their choices, using estimation and other strategies. As a challenge, ask students to choose, for the trays, fruits or vegetables of the same colour, texture or colours of the rainbow.