Connect the Dots: Calculate Saving and Spending

In this cross-curricular math and personal finance lesson, students solve word problems and then use those solutions to solve a connect-the-dot puzzle.

CONNECT THE DOTS PPT SLIDES

CONNECT THE DOTS STUDENT HANDOUTS

CONNECT THE DOTS ANSWER KEY

Lesson Prep

• Review the Connect the Dots PPT Slides and notes
• Make copies of the Connect The Dots Student Handouts

Warm Up

• Have students answer the two riddles on Slide 3
• Lead a discussion using the following question –  “Imagine your favorite store is having a huge sale — everything is marked down! What’s the first thing you’d rush to buy, and why?”

Activity/Procedure

• Teacher will demonstrate what it means to “Connect the Dots” by accessing a demo picture which can be found by accessing this link: https://wwohmydots.com/ (suggestion use the Easy Connect the Dots Games).
• Teacher will review the directions for this Connect The Dots Activity using the PPT slides.
  • Look over the two sheets: one containing the word problems and other containing the dots.
  • Carefully solve each math problem. Show your work on a separate piece of paper.
  • Locate the answers to the math problems on the connect-the-dots. Each answer will be next to a dot.
  • Start by finding the dot with the answer to the first math problem.
  • Then, find the dot with the answer to the second math problem, and draw a line segment connecting the two.
  • Continue connecting the dots in the order of the answers to the math problems (third answer to fourth answer, and so on).
  • Once you have connected all the dots, you should see a picture!
  • (Optional) You can color in your picture when you are finished.

Exit Ticket

Why is it important to be able to calculate percentages when you are out shopping?

Assessment

The primary assessment for this activity is the completed picture formed by correctly connecting the dots in the order of the word problems. Connect The Dots ANSWER KEY

• The teacher will check how the student has connected the dots to form the intended image. A correctly formed picture indicates that the student has solved the problems correctly
• Teachers will collect from each student the work that each student did to solve the individual problems.  If the student followed the correct order of the answers, the correct picture should be seen.  (See Slide 9)  Connecting the dots in the wrong order will result in an incorrect or unrecognizable picture.
• Teacher might consider an Exit ticket (see Slide 10)