Herbert Elementary School

 

A miniquest developed for 4^th grade by Lisa Bezella

 

 

Task:      

We are planning a classroom party to celebrate a successful 1^st semester!  We have a budget for refreshments and supplies, but I’m too busy to decide what to get.  Your task will be to work in teams to select what types of food, drinks and paper/plastic products we will purchase.  You will need to consider student preferences, taste, quality and price to select the best buy for refreshments and supplies.  We will be inviting the principal and assistant principal to our party too!  They will see how smart we are when we explain how we made our intelligent consumer choices!

 

Project Goals:

 

Essential Question:

        What influences the choices we make?

 

Specific Questions:

       

        What criteria are most important to making decisions?

        Why is it sometimes hard to make a good decision?

        How do we decide what items to buy?

       

 

The Process:

A.  Each team is responsible for different supplies:  

 

Beverages Team

Select the best drinks for the party.

 

Plates Team

Select the best plates (paper or plastic, big or small) for the party.

 

Cups Team

Select the best cups (big or small, color or clear) for the party.

 

Salty Snack Team

Select the best salty snacks (pretzels, chips, etc.) for the party.

 

Sweet Snack Team

Select the best sweet snacks (fruit, candy, cookies, etc.) for the party.

 

Each group must have at least one of the following:

Timekeeper:  Responsible for making sure the group works efficiently.

Recorder:  Responsible for taking notes during brainstorming.

Discussion Leader:  Responsible for asking group analysis questions.

Presenter:  Responsible for presenting information to the rest of the class. 

 

B.  Brainstorming and Research

 

1.  Build your financial knowledge by completing the first 3 activities listed under Resources.

 

2.  Meet with your team and brainstorm a list of products that might be suitable for the party.  Use store ads to get more ideas.  Do not make any decisions at this time.

 

3.  Develop a survey to find out your classmates' preferences.  Use Excel to develop a graph which shows your survey results.  After analyzing the survey results, narrow your choices to the top three selections.  Submit your choices to the teacher for purchase.

 

C.  Evaluating Your Top Three

 

1.  With your team, decide what criteria you will use to evaluate your choices.  Enter your 3 criteria and your 3 choices into your criteria chart.   Make enough copies of your criteria chart for your team members and the members of another team (about 8).

 

2.  Set up a taste test (or cup and plate test) and evaluate your three choices by completing your criteria chart.  Also have another team repeat the same test.

 

3.  With your team analyze the completed criteria charts and rank your choices 1, 2, and 3.  Find out your budget allowance from your teacher.  Read about unit prices at Unit Pricing - The Real Price.  Compare the unit prices you found on www.peapod.com to determine how much you can afford.  As a team, come to a consensus on which product to purchase. 

 

4.  Write a paragraph to explain how your team arrived at your final decision.  Be sure to include the criteria you used to make your decision.  Also explain why it is sometimes hard to make a good decision.  Turn your paper in to the teacher.

 

Resources:

 

1.  Read the introduction in You decide!.  Write down your own definitions of resources, scarcity, and opportunity cost.  In your group, create a poster showing the P.A.C.E.D. decision-making model.

 

2.  Read about making choices in Every Penny Counts!  Do the first activity to practice finding the best deal.

 

3.  Read about conducting a taste test in Hey Pop!  With your group, complete the accompanying activity.

 

4.  Read about comparing unit prices at Unit Pricing - The Real Price.

 

5.  Visit http://www.peapod.com to compare prices of your products.  Take notes on brands, quantity, and cost.

 

6.  Visit http://www.zillions.org/ to learn more about consumer choices and buyer bewares!

 

Assessment:

Party Planning Survey Graph Rubric

 

Illinois Learning Standards: