Math Monday - Lesson 3

Real Life Math - Lesson 3

Balance a Checkbook

Objective:  To learn how to manage a check register and balance a checkbook.  

Using a beginning balance of $500.00, enter the appropriate information onto the check register using the checks and deposit slips provided with this lesson.  Calculate the new balance after each transaction has been recorded, and be sure to enter the items in date order.  Upon completion of filling out the check register, balance the checkbook using the provided Bank Statement.  Not all items will show up as cleared on the Bank Statement, so it will be necessary to learn how to reconcile the account to verify that the balance on the check register is correct.

Lesson 3 Printables (available below)

1 - copies of 10 checks & 2 deposit slips

2 - blank check register

3 - "Bank Statement"

The attached printables that I created for Princess make this a complete lesson.  All you need to do is print and it is ready to go!  You may want to cut the checks and deposit slips out, and have your student put them in date order prior to completing the check register.  

Princess had a very fun time with this lesson.  She said it was her favorite Real Life Math lesson so far!  As I was explaining the lesson to her, we discussed that although we were using checks, the same principle would apply with debit or check card purchases, as well as online bill pay.  We also talked about the necessity of knowing how to apply this skill, even though there are many computer programs available that track your spending for you.  Money management skills are a necessity in life, and I am happy that Princess is beginning to learn them now.

She was very happy when she reconciled her "account" and her checkbook balanced!

Linking to:

No Time for Flashcards

Hip Homeschool Hop

Our Country Road

ABC & 123

Sun Scholars

Math Monday

Real Life Math - Lesson 2

Calculate Driving Time

Objective:  To calculate the estimated driving time to travel to a specified destination by car.  Use a road atlas to map out your route.  Calculate average speed and account for necessary stops.  Include a copy of a map with your chosen route highlighted and complete the worksheet below for each day of driving.
 

Princess enjoyed this activity a lot.  She chose Walt Disney World  as her destination, and was very precise with choosing her route.  She had several options, and thought about the pros and cons of each, ultimately choosing to stay on major highways for as much of the trip as possible.  Once she had the route chosen and highlighted in our atlas, we used the worksheet to write the actual directions.  Next, she used the map scale to estimate the distance for each section of road in her directions.  Once she had completed that using the atlas, we went online and used Google Maps to compare her results with the actual mileage for each section.  We decided to use an average speed of 60 mph for the entire trip, based on the majority of the driving being on major highways.  Next, Princess added up the total miles and, using the speed of 60 mph, calculated the actual driving time for the trip.  Lastly, she created a daily schedule and calculated the number of dining, restroom & gas stops for each day of the trip.  This ultimately gave her a perfect picture of how long the trip would take.  

The best part is that if we ever decide to drive to Disney World, Princess has already done all of the planning for the drive!

This was a very fun and practical Real Life Math activity.  While Google Maps and navigation systems are great, I think it is so important for children to learn to use an actual map/atlas.  This is still our preferred method for longer road trips.  In addition to map skills, this activity also provides exceptional applications in real life math.  

Linking to:

ABC & 123

Hip Homeschool Hop

Sun Scholars

Math Monday (a day late)!

While planning for this school year, I decided I wanted to do Real Life Math with Princess every Friday.  I created my lessons for the year and am excited to share them with you!  

Each week, I will be doing a Math Monday post where I share our lesson from the week before.  The posts will include lesson explanations & instructions, pictures, and any printables I have made to go along with the lessons.  

We had our first Real Life Math lesson last week, and it was a lot of fun!

Real Life Math - Lesson 1

Dinner Budget

Objective:  To plan and shop for 3 family meals on a budget of $12, $10 and $8, respectively.  All three meals must be complete and healthy, feeding our family of 4.

Princess had a wonderful time with this lesson.  She started by brainstorming and filling out the Planning Worksheet with various meal ideas she thought would fit into those price categories. The Planning Worksheet I created is below.

While we were at the grocery store, she said that she finally understood why I sometimes ask her to distract Super Tot so that I can work on sticking to our grocery budget.  She didn't realize how much work it is to really stick to a budget, and how important it is to compare prices.  She was excited to check the sales and use coupons to get the most for her dollar.  She was surprised to find that several of her meal choices were way over budget, as well.

We used the "Results Worksheet" below to document the final meal choices, broken down by cost. 

I am pleased to share that after some work, Princess came in under budget with all 3 of her meals!  She was pretty excited about that, too!  

Princess had so much fun doing this project, and she has a new appreciation for the value (or lack there of, sometimes) of a dollar.  Although this particular lesson has been completed, I think I will challenge her each week to come up with at least one of our meals.  I do have several other lessons planned that will involve budgeting, as well as shopping strategies.  

I am excited to know that I am equipping Princess to leave home one day armed with the real life math skills necessary to live a life of Godly finances.

Linking to:

ABC & 123
Hip Homeschool Hop