Lesson Plan
Menu Math Madness!
Students will be able to add and subtract prices from a menu to solve real-world problems, such as calculating total costs and change.
Understanding how to calculate costs and manage money from a menu is a vital life skill that students will use every time they eat out or shop.
Audience
Elementary School Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive problem-solving.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Markers or pens, Menu Math Slide Deck, Menu Math Worksheet, and Menu Math Answer Key
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Menu Math Slide Deck for content and flow.
- Print or prepare to display the Menu Math Worksheet.
- Have the Menu Math Answer Key ready for quick checking.
- Gather any necessary writing materials (markers, pens, etc.).
Step 1
Introduction: What's on the Menu?
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students about their favorite foods and if they've ever ordered from a menu.
- Introduce the concept of 'menu math' – using math skills to figure out prices, totals, and change when ordering food.
- Display the first few slides of the Menu Math Slide Deck to set the stage.
Step 2
Exploring the Menu & Adding Up!
10 minutes
- Project the sample menu from the Menu Math Slide Deck.
- Guide students through a few examples of adding items together.
- Example: 'If I order a burger and fries, how much will it cost?'
- Encourage students to participate and share their strategies for addition.
Step 3
Subtracting for Change
8 minutes
- Introduce scenarios where students need to calculate change.
- Example: 'If the total is $7.50 and I pay with a $10 bill, how much change should I get?'
- Work through examples from the Menu Math Slide Deck, emphasizing the importance of accurate subtraction.
Step 4
Worksheet Challenge
5 minutes
- Distribute the Menu Math Worksheet.
- Explain that students will work independently or in pairs to solve the problems.
- Circulate to provide support and answer questions.
- Briefly review answers using the Menu Math Answer Key as a class if time permits, or collect for later review.
Step 5
Conclusion: Real-World Math
2 minutes
- Briefly recap the importance of menu math in everyday life.
- Ask students to share one thing they learned or found interesting about using math with menus.
- Conclude by emphasizing that math is everywhere, even in their favorite restaurants!
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Slide Deck
Menu Math Madness!
Get ready to crunch some numbers... and maybe some imaginary fries!
Greet students and introduce the exciting topic of Menu Math! Ask them about their favorite restaurants and what they usually order.
What's on the Menu Today?
Have you ever ordered food?
How do you know how much it costs?
Today, we'll learn 'Menu Math'!
Engage students by asking if they've ever helped order food or paid for something. Explain that today, we'll become 'math chefs' and use menus to solve problems.
Welcome to 'Lenny's Lunch Spot'
Main Dishes
- Cheeseburger: $5.00
- Chicken Nuggets: $4.50
- Pizza Slice: $3.00
Sides
- Fries: $2.50
- Salad: $3.00
Drinks
- Juice Box: $1.50
- Water: $1.00
Present a clear, simple menu with a few categories like 'Main Dishes,' 'Sides,' and 'Drinks.' Ensure prices are easy for elementary students to work with (e.g., whole dollars or .50 increments).
Adding It Up! (Total Cost)
If you buy a Cheeseburger and Fries, how much will it cost?
Cheeseburger: $5.00
Fries: $2.50
Total: $5.00 + $2.50 = ?
Walk through an example of adding two items. Demonstrate how to set up the addition problem and find the total. Emphasize aligning decimal points if present.
Let's Practice Adding!
What if you order Chicken Nuggets and a Juice Box?
Chicken Nuggets: $4.50
Juice Box: $1.50
Total: $4.50 + $1.50 = ?
Pose another addition problem for students to solve. Encourage them to try it on their own or with a partner before revealing the answer. Discuss their strategies.
Change Please! (Getting Money Back)
You pay with a $10.00 bill for a $7.00 meal. How much change do you get?
Money Paid: $10.00
Meal Cost: $7.00
Change: $10.00 - $7.00 = ?
Introduce the concept of calculating change. Explain that subtraction is used to find out how much money you get back after paying. Use a simple example.
Practice Making Change!
You order a Pizza Slice ($3.00) and a Salad ($3.00).
You pay with a $10.00 bill.
- What is the total cost of your order?
- How much change should you get back?
Present a slightly more complex change problem using items from 'Lenny's Lunch Spot'. Guide students through the steps: first add the items, then subtract from the amount paid.
Your Menu Math Challenge!
Time to put your skills to the test!
Work on your Menu Math Worksheet to solve more menu mysteries!
Explain that students will now get a worksheet to practice their new menu math skills. Briefly describe the tasks on the worksheet.
Math is Everywhere!
From ordering your favorite food to shopping at the store, math helps us every day!
Keep practicing your 'Menu Math'!
Conclude the lesson by reiterating the practical value of menu math. Encourage students to look for math in their daily lives, especially when they're at a restaurant or grocery store.
Worksheet
Lenny's Lunch Spot Menu Math Challenge!
Welcome to Lenny's Lunch Spot! Use our menu to solve the problems below.
Our Menu
Main Dishes
- Cheeseburger: $5.00
- Chicken Nuggets: $4.50
- Pizza Slice: $3.00
Sides
- Fries: $2.50
- Salad: $3.00
Drinks
- Juice Box: $1.50
- Water: $1.00
Your Order:
-
You order a Cheeseburger and Fries. How much will your total be?
-
Your friend orders Chicken Nuggets and a Juice Box. What is their total?
-
You have $10.00. You want to buy a Pizza Slice and a Salad. Do you have enough money? If so, how much change will you get back?
-
Your sibling orders a Cheeseburger, Fries, and a Water. What is the total cost of their order?
-
Challenge! You have $15.00. You want to buy 2 Pizza Slices and 1 order of Chicken Nuggets. How much will it cost, and how much change will you receive?
Answer Key
Lenny's Lunch Spot Menu Math Answer Key
Our Menu
Main Dishes
- Cheeseburger: $5.00
- Chicken Nuggets: $4.50
- Pizza Slice: $3.00
Sides
- Fries: $2.50
- Salad: $3.00
Drinks
- Juice Box: $1.50
- Water: $1.00
Solutions:
-
You order a Cheeseburger and Fries. How much will your total be?
- Cheeseburger: $5.00
- Fries: $2.50
- Calculation: $5.00 + $2.50 = $7.50
- Total: $7.50
-
Your friend orders Chicken Nuggets and a Juice Box. What is their total?
- Chicken Nuggets: $4.50
- Juice Box: $1.50
- Calculation: $4.50 + $1.50 = $6.00
- Total: $6.00
-
You have $10.00. You want to buy a Pizza Slice and a Salad. Do you have enough money? If so, how much change will you get back?
- Pizza Slice: $3.00
- Salad: $3.00
- Order Total: $3.00 + $3.00 = $6.00
- Money Paid: $10.00
- Change Calculation: $10.00 - $6.00 = $4.00
- Yes, you have enough money. You will get $4.00 change.
-
Your sibling orders a Cheeseburger, Fries, and a Water. What is the total cost of their order?
- Cheeseburger: $5.00
- Fries: $2.50
- Water: $1.00
- Calculation: $5.00 + $2.50 + $1.00 = $8.50
- Total: $8.50
-
Challenge! You have $15.00. You want to buy 2 Pizza Slices and 1 order of Chicken Nuggets. How much will it cost, and how much change will you receive?
- Pizza Slice: $3.00
- 2 Pizza Slices: $3.00 x 2 = $6.00
- Chicken Nuggets: $4.50
- Order Total: $6.00 + $4.50 = $10.50
- Money Paid: $15.00
- Change Calculation: $15.00 - $10.50 = $4.50
- The total cost will be $10.50. You will receive $4.50 in change.