The upcoming unit will focus on math in everyday life through student projects over two weeks. Students will explore how math is used for money, sales, and shopping. They will create their own mock store demonstrating sales and specials. Parents will assist students with projects and visiting stores. The goal is for students to understand and apply math practically while developing life and social skills through hands-on learning. The teacher will support students and is available to address any questions or concerns.

1. Our next unit, and how you can succeed!

2.  Our next unit will be called “Math In Everyday Life”. It will last
approximately two weeks, and will feature various student-
based learning projects that will hopefully convey the
importance of math and how we can use it in our lives every
day. The activities will be guided by the following questions:
◦ Essential Question:
 How can you use simple math such as multiplication, addition, and
subtraction in your life?
◦ Unit Questions:
 How do we use math when using money?
 What are some situations in which we must use simple math in the real
world?
◦ Content Questions:
 If you are in a store and there is a $25.00 shirt that is 15% off, how much
money do you save?
 What is the new total amount?
 On a shopping spree, if you buy three pairs of shoes for $15.oo each, how
much are you paying total?

3.  Students will be expected to be in class every day, or have a
valid excuse or doctor‟s note for absences. They will also be
expected to listen and follow all directions, including the
Project-Based Learning guidelines. These include working
well with the other students, as well as working hard and
carrying your part of the work load. They will also have to go
into stores and get examples of sales, specials, etc.
Lastly, they will be responsible for the finishing
product, including all the appropriate math problems and
their own „store‟ that they have created.
 Parents will have the role of helping their students work on
their projects at home, if they do not complete all the
necessary tasks in the classroom. They are also asked to
assist their students in getting to a store and letting them
find specific sales. Their assistance may also be required to
help assemble their student‟s store, if needed.

4.  Accommodates different approaches to learning
 Makes content more meaningful
 Develops higher-order cognitive skills, life
skills, technological skills and self-management skills
 Students are excited, engaged, enthusiastic and empowered
about their learning
 Students more often retain what they learn
 Makes connections between different subject areas and other
aspects of students‟ lives
 Students gain confidence and improve social and
collaborative skills

5.  Math Grade 4
◦ Multiply or divide to solve word problems involving multiplicative
comparison, e.g., by using drawings and equations with a symbol for the
unknown number to represent the problem, distinguishing multiplicative
comparison from additive comparison
◦ Multiply a whole number of up to four digits by a one-digit whole
number, and multiply two two-digit numbers, using strategies based on
place value and the properties of operations. Illustrate and explain the
calculation by using equations, rectangular arrays, and/or area models.
◦ Solve multistep word problems posed with whole numbers and having
whole-number answers using the four operations, including problems in
which remainders must be interpreted. Represent these problems using
equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity. Assess the
reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation
strategies including rounding.

6.  Though this project is meant to be fun for the
students, there are specific objectives we are
working toward:
◦ Effectively use and understand math in our
everyday lives
◦ Create your own store that includes differently
priced items, sale items, and specials and show
your potential customers how it will save them
money
 Store can sell anything you want it to, i.e.
clothes, shoes, candy… anything!

7.  Project-based learning is a hands-on way for
students to learn. This is a great way to get away
from lecture lessons, in which the students
usually do not learn very much. Project-based
learning makes learning a lot more fun for the
students and gives them an opportunity to
interact with other students in their group. By
doing hands-on learning, the students are
usually able to better retain the information, and
therefore learn more. By using PBL for this
project, I am hoping to get the students more
involved and excited about their store.

8.  As always, I am here to answer your
questions and to assist the students in any
way I can. Please don‟t hesitate to contact me
with any questions, concerns, or suggestions.
Thanks!
Email: keschmidt1@crimson.ua.edu