Percentages | Project Based Learning
Students work in small groups to solve a real-world shopping challenge using percentages, discounts, tax, and totals. The lesson emphasizes reasoning, communication, and applying percentage skills to authentic situations.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| percent | A number out of 100. |
| discount | An amount taken off the original price. |
| sale price | The price after a discount is applied. |
| tax | An extra amount added to the price, usually a percent of the sale price. |
| original price | The price before any discount. |
| estimate | A close but not exact answer used to check reasonableness. |
Present a scenario: Each group has a $50 budget to buy supplies for a class event. Students must choose the best combination of items by applying discounts and tax, then justify their choice.
Listen, discuss the scenario, and identify what information is needed to solve it.
Distribute the project handout and remind students to show all steps: find discount amount, subtract to get sale price, then add tax if included. Circulate, ask guiding questions, and prompt students to check calculations.
Work in groups to calculate totals for each option, compare choices, and record reasoning on paper.
Invite 2-3 groups to share one solution path and explain how they determined the best buy. Highlight efficient methods such as finding 10% and 5% first, or using benchmark percentages.
Present their work, listen to others, and compare strategies.
Summarize key steps for percentage problems: identify the percent, find the part, and interpret the result in context. Connect the project to everyday shopping decisions.
Respond to the summary and note one strategy they found helpful.
Have students complete a quick verbal exit reflection: 'One percentage strategy I used today was...' and 'One thing I checked to make sure my answer made sense was...'