Planning A Popcorn Party An Inquiry Based Math Project

Get ready to plan a popcorn and movie party, keeping the kids engaged with this week long inquiry based math project. It offers collaborative learning and hands on inquiry requiring the children to solve problems, think critically and apply their knowledge of measure, time, fractions, place value, ratio tables and word problems with the four operations as they prepare their own class party! Text is included with data that the children will have to identify in order to solve the problems. This the perfect end of the year keep ‘em going activity , substitute teacher plans or any time you need that boost of motivation in the class. ( some might call it bribery  ) UK & USA spelling.
The kids will plan the flavour of popcorn to use, with a taste test & class vote , analysing the data gathered and recording in a variety of ways according to their level in math. This can be used with 3rd-6th grades. They will be required to measure distance in the Great Popcorn Toss, find fractions with data, identify place value, calculate quantities of popcorn needed, find elapsed time in order to decide upon the best time to hold their party in class, research a movie for the party and much more. Eventually the groups will present their arguments for their favourite movie in a bid to persuade the rest of the class and the winning choices shall be part of the popcorn and a movie party. Comparing and contrasting each group’s work, helps with critical thinking too and communication skills. Wholly differentiated, ( Task B cards are less challenging) you can use it as a summative assessment tool of the skills and standards included. It can be created as a booklet or in a binder., with a front cover included being used as a goal setting pre assessment for the children. Mix and match the pages to suit your students’ needs.

This inquiry based math packet is easy to print and go, perfect for year round. I designed it for my IB PYP 5th grade class. It can be used 3rd – 6th grade too. You will find the following skills and standards ideally suited for the IB PYP Phase 4 and CCSS Math for 4th and 5th grade:
Number sense and base ten operations
Fractions: finding fractions, subtracting and simplifying
Measure: using measuring tools , elapsed time, weight, length
Data analysis: graphing, maximum, minimum
Check out these other inquiry based maths projects too!
The Great Chicken Escape
The Great Time Travel Adventure
If the World Were A Village
Our School
Design A Haunted House
A Thanksgiving Inquiry The Pilgrims' Journey
Make math fun, engaging and authentic! You can find many more inquiry based learning tools in my store and on my blog.
Enjoy!
Susan Powers
PYPteachingtools.com