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Grocery Store Problem Solving (Grades 3-5)

Students use basic mathematical skills to solve problems related to the cost of food while integrating geography and nutrition to enhance learning. Students analyze grocery ads, assess the nutrition and cost of meals, and explore diets around the world.

Grades
3 – 5
Estimated Time
60 minutes
Updated
January 24, 2023
shopping cart in a grocery store aisle
Image: monticelllo/iStock Photos

Background

Lesson Activities

Credits

Author

Debra Spielmaker | Utah Agriculture in the Classroom

Standards

National Content Area Standards

  • Social Studies – Economics
    • Economics Standard 1 (Grades 3-5): Scarcity
      • Objective (Grades 3-5): Identify what they gain and what they give up when they make choices.
    • Economics Standard 7 (Grades 3-5): Market and Prices
      • Objective (Grades 3-5): Identify markets in which they have participated as a buyer and as a seller and describe how the interaction of all buyers and sellers influences prices. Also, predict how prices change when there is either a shortage or surplus of the product available.
    • Economics Standard 2 (Grades 3-5): Decision Making
      • Objective (Grades 3-5): Make effective decisions as consumers, producers, savers, investors, and citizens.
  • Health/Nutrition
    • Health Standard 5: Demonstrate effective decision-making skills to enhance health.
      • 5.5.6: Choose a health-promoting option that aligns with personal values when making an effective decision.
  • Social Studies – History
    • NCSS 7 (Grades 3-5): Production, Distribution, and Consumption
      • Objective 4: How economic incentives affect people's behavior.
      • Objective 5: The characteristics and functions of money and its uses.
      • Objective 7: The characteristics of a market economy.
      • Objective 8: The goods and services produced in the market and those produced by the government.