DRIVE THRU MATH
Have you noticed a lack of number sense in your students, when it comes to understanding decimals and the correlation to money? Have you ever wished you could apply your lessons on adding, subtracting and multiplying decimals, to a hands on lesson, that would give 'real world' experience?
Well look no further!
This lesson - is for you!
One day, when pondering my student's exposure to real world use of decimals and money, I considered how many of my students were used to digital currency and using 'card' payments over cash. I considered how many of my students struggled with decimal number sense, because of their lack of real world exposure and application. I wished I could find a way to have them 'immersed' into such an experience...
And then it hit me - one of the most universal uses of cash, that all my students were sure to understand, and have experienced! A trip to a local fast food restaurant!
With that - Miss B.'s "Drive Thru Math" was born!
Upon arriving to my classroom, I greeted students at my door in costume (reused from my Starbush Coffee lesson), and began creating a different environment, right from the get go!
With headset on head, and apron wrapped around my waist - I had students 'pull in' to the drive thru parking lot at the front of my classroom. (Our 'rug' area in front of the Smart Board, which was now projecting a screen of a Sonic drive in). As students entered, they were greeted by the sound of 50's retro dinner music.
Once students took their seats, I walked them through the activity for the day. The student's were ENTHRALLED and already buzzing with excited murmurs as I explained. After I had completed my instruction, I 'sent' students out to go buy their meals!
The next 30 - 45 minutes was full of laughter, dialogue and problem solving in ways I had only DREAMED about!
Following the activity, students met me once again, 'parked' in the parking lot with their data recording sheets. Wishing to not only make this an activity and discussion about 5th grade math concepts used in the real world - I also presented my students with open ended questions in regards to: budgeting, price comparisons, meal planning, gas usage, and price to food quality ratios! I was BLOWN AWAY by my students reasoning, revelations, and application!
To end the entire day of learning, I was also very pleased to inform my students that our local Sonic (Pittsburg, KS), had donated a coupon for each 5th grade student to receive a free vanilla cone for participating in that day's activity! The children were then OVER THE MOON!
Of all the comments that I heard through out the day (and trust me, there were many in favor of this activity), the best came from one of my students who has adamantly informed me throughout the year how much he despises math...
"Miss B.! This is so much fun! Can we do another activity like this again this year? I really like this!"
A win for one - is sometimes the greatest win of all!
THE LESSON
When students were first 'released' from the "drive in parking lot" to go to the restaurants of their choosing, they were given recording sheets to track their work. (Attached below)
Students used their recording sheets to track the items they purchased, food tax, and the cost of gas from restaurant to restaurant! Students were given a 'budget' of $20 and were asked to buy a drink, meal, side, and dessert of their choice. The only catch? It costs $1.25 in gas to travel from each restaurant, and each food item comes with tax!
Students had a BLAST (pardon the pun), purchasing their 'meal items' from ChicFilA, Taco Bell, and Sonic, and then dialoguing with one another at the end!
Trust me when I say, this is a lesson you and your students will NEVER forget!
MATERIALS / PRINT OFFS
Costume for Teacher
Projected Drive In Screen
50's Music
Fast Food Posters (Below)
Student Recording Sheets (Below)
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