This task is from Tools4NCTeachers. Students explore a task in which they spend $1,000 on classroom furniture.  Students use addition and subtraction to keep track of how much money has been spent and how much money they have left. This is remixable. 

Task preview

Read directions:  “Your teacher was just awarded $1000 to spend on flexible seating for your classroom!  Work with a partner to help her decide how to spend the money on flexible seating for your classroom, which has 20 students.  Think about which seats will be most popular and how many seats you need.  You may choose up to 20 floor seats, at least 12 table seats, and there is only room for 5 seats in the Reading Center.

You are asked to:

• Write down the different seats and how many of each you would choose.  Find the total for each category:  Floor Seats, Seats for Tables, and  Reading Center Seats).  

• What was the total cost of all your choices?

• Did you have any money left over?  If so, how much?”

Give students time to complete part 1.  

Part 2: (May be completed directly after or in another class period)  

Say: “Use your work from Part 1 to:

• Create a bar graph to represent how you would spend the money.  Notice the scale on vertical axis.  What is it?  (100).  Include labels on your graph.

• After you complete your graph, you will compare your choices with a partner and complete the second chart.  How much more or less did you spend on each category than your partner?  How much more or less total did you spend than your partner?”

 A possible extension is to ask students if it is possible to spend exactly $1,000 and ask them to explain.

 Part 3:

Students use their graphs created in Part 2 to compare their choices with a partner’s choices.  To encourage use of the bar graph, collect the work from Part 1 before completing Part 3.

Say:

• Use the chart for Part 3 and compare your choices with a partner.

• How much more or less did you choose to spend on each category than your partner?  Show your work.

How much more or less did you choose to spend in total than your partner?  Show your work.