👩‍🏫 Teacher’s Guide

Objective
Students will learn how to read simple prices, add totals, identify needs vs. wants, and decide if they have enough money when shopping for groceries.

Vocabulary
need, want, shopping list, total, budget, change

Teaching Notes

• Show real or picture grocery items with $1–$5 prices.
• Ask students what items are needs (healthy foods) and what items are wants (treats).
• Model how to add 2–3 prices to find the total.
• Practice paying with play money and getting change.
• Encourage students to explain their thinking when making choices.

🧒 Student Worksheet

Concept and Helping Material

A need is something important for living and staying healthy (like milk or fruit).
A want is something we would like to have but is not necessary (like cookies).
A shopping list helps people remember what to buy.
A total is the cost of all items together.
A budget is how much money you can spend.

Hands-On Experiment or Activities

What You Need:
Picture cards or written prices: milk $2, bread $3, apples $4, carrots $1, cookies $3, juice $2
Play money

What You Do:

1. Choose 3 items for a shopping list.
2. Add the prices to find the total.
3. Check if you stay under a $10 budget.
4. Pay with play money.
5. The “cashier” counts the change.
6. Switch roles.

Vocabulary and Definition

• — something you must have
• — something you would like but do not need
• — a list of what to buy
• — the cost when all prices are added
• — a money limit
• — money you get back after paying

Words to Learn

, , , ,

Questions to Answer

Story:
Rosa has $10.
Her shopping list has:

• Bread $3
• Milk $2
• Apples $4

At the store she also sees cookies for $3 and wants them.

1. What three items are on Rosa’s shopping list?

2. What is the total cost of her list?

3. How much money does she have?

4. Does Rosa have enough money for the $3 cookies?

5. Which items are needs?

6. Are cookies a need or want?

7. How much change will Rosa get if she only buys the items on her list?

🧮 Finance Math Practice

1. Bread is $3 and milk is $2. Total?

2. Apples cost $4. You have $6. Enough money?

3. You pay $10 for groceries that cost $7. Change?

4. Carrots cost $1 each. How much for 4?

5. Your budget is $8. Items cost $3, $2, and $4. Are you over budget?

6. Juice costs $2. You buy 2. Total?

7. Cookies cost $3. You have $2. Enough?

8. A small cereal box is $5. You have $8. How much remains?

9. Two apples cost $4 each? (Grade 1 simplified: $4 total)

10. Fruit $3 + Vegetables $2 = ?

Reflection

• Why do we add prices before buying?

• Why should we buy needs first?