Lesson Plan
Budgeting Bonanza Lesson Plan
Students will practice addition, subtraction, and multiplication by allocating a mock party budget to various items, reinforcing number operations in a real-world context.
This lesson builds financial literacy, critical thinking, and decision-making by applying math skills to life scenarios. It engages 4th graders with hands-on budgeting tasks that align with grade-level standards in number operations.
Audience
4th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Hands-on, real-world budgeting scenarios
Materials
- Mock Party Price List, * Budget Worksheet, * Play Money Set, * Calculators, and * Chart Paper and Markers
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Print enough copies of the Mock Party Price List and Budget Worksheet for each student or pair.
- Gather a Play Money Set or equivalent manipulatives.
- Set up chart paper and markers for group sharing.
- Review the price list and practice one sample budget allocation to anticipate student questions.
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Display the scenario: students are hosting a party with a fixed budget of $100.
- Review the Mock Party Price List together, highlighting costs for food, decorations, and favors.
- Remind students of addition, subtraction, and multiplication strategies for combining item costs.
Step 2
Budget Planning Activity
20 minutes
- Distribute the Budget Worksheet and play money to each student or pair.
- Instruct students to select party items, calculate costs, and track their spending to stay within the $100 limit.
- Encourage using calculators for multiplication or large additions.
- Circulate to prompt students: "How much will two packs of balloons cost?" or "Can you afford both pizza and cake?"
- Differentiation:
- Struggling learners: work in pairs and use guided questions to break down each calculation.
- Advanced learners: challenge to maximize party value by calculating per-student cost or creating a priority ranking of items based on cost-effectiveness.
Step 3
Reflection & Share
5 minutes
- Invite a few students or pairs to present their final budgets on chart paper.
- Discuss decisions: Why did you choose these items? How did you adjust when running low on funds?
- Reinforce math strategies used and connect to real-life budgeting skills.
Slide Deck
Budgeting Bonanza
Welcome 4th graders! Today we’ll learn to budget for a party with $100. Let’s use our addition, subtraction, and multiplication skills to make it a success!
Welcome students and introduce the lesson. Explain that today they’ll use math to plan a party on a budget.
Learning Objectives
• Practice addition, subtraction, and multiplication
• Allocate a $100 party budget
• Make real-life decisions and reflect on choices
Read each learning objective aloud and connect it to real-life money skills.
Your Party Budget
You have $100 to spend on a mock party. Review the costs, pick items you want, and stay within budget to plan a fantastic celebration!
Present the scenario: hosting a party. Emphasize the fixed budget of $100.
Mock Party Price List
• Pizza: $15 per large pie
• Cake: $20 each
• Balloons: $5 per 10-pack
• Party Hats: $2 each
• Drinks: $1.50 per can
• Goodie Bags: $4 each
Full price list → Mock Party Price List
Walk through the key items and costs. Direct students to the full price list link.
Get Your Materials
Grab your Budget Worksheet and a Play Money Set. Use calculators as needed. Track each purchase to keep your total at or below $100.
Ensure every student/pair has the worksheet and play money. Explain how to record items and payments.
Worked Example
• 2 pizzas at $15 → $30
• 1 cake at $20 → $20
• 3 packs of balloons at $5 → $15
Total spent = $30 + $20 + $15 = $65
Remaining budget = $100 − $65 = $35
Model one budget plan to scaffold student thinking, showing multiplication and addition work.
Your Budget Challenge
Now it’s your turn! Plan your party by selecting items, calculating costs, and recording them on your worksheet. Try to spend as close to $100 as possible without going over.
Launch the independent or partner activity. Circulate to support calculations and choices.
Reflection & Share
• Which items did you choose and why?
• How did you adjust when you ran low on funds?
• What math strategies did you use?
Be ready to present your budget and explain your thinking!
Prepare students to share decisions and math strategies. Record responses on chart paper.
Worksheet
Budget Worksheet
You have a $100 budget to plan your mock party. Use the Mock Party Price List to decide what to buy. Record your selections and calculations below.
1. Your Party Plan
| Item | Price Each | Quantity | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
You may add or remove rows as needed.
2. Show Your Work
Choose one of your purchases above and show the multiplication or addition steps you used to find its subtotal.
Example: 3 packs of balloons at $5 each → 3 × $5 = $15
Your work:
3. Budget Summary
Total spent: ______
Remaining budget (100 − Total spent): ______
4. Reflection Questions
- Why did you choose these items for your party?
- How did you adjust your choices when you were close to your budget limit?
- What math operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication) did you use? Provide one example of each.
Use your Play Money Set to act out each purchase and check your calculations.
Reading
Mock Party Price List
Here is the full list of items and prices you can choose for your mock party. Use these costs to plan your budget and stay within your $100 limit.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Pizza (large pie) | $15.00 |
| Cake (each) | $20.00 |
| Balloons (10-pack) | $5.00 |
| Party Hats (each) | $2.00 |
| Drinks (per can) | $1.50 |
| Goodie Bags (each) | $4.00 |
| Tablecloth (each) | $3.00 |
| Streamers (pack) | $2.00 |
| Napkins (10-pack) | $0.50 |
| Plates (each) | $0.75 |
| Cups (each) | $0.50 |
| Candles (pack) | $1.00 |
Tip: Think about how many of each item you want and multiply the cost by the quantity to find your subtotal!
Activity
Reflection Discussion
Use these prompts to debrief as a whole class or in small groups. Encourage students to elaborate on their choices, math strategies, and connections to real life.
1. Share Your Choices
Which items did you purchase and why did you prioritize those?
2. Math Strategies
What operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication) did you use most often? Provide one clear example of each you used.
3. Budget Adjustments
At what point did you realize you needed to change your plan? How did you decide which items to remove or reduce?
4. Real-Life Connections
How can the skills you used today help you make decisions outside of the classroom (e.g., saving allowance, planning for a trip)?
Possible Follow-Up Questions
- How would your plan change if you had a $120 budget instead of $100?
- If you had to split the cost equally among 4 friends, how much would each person pay?
- What is one tip you’d give someone new to budgeting?
Use the responses to deepen understanding of number operations and real-world money management skills.