Holiday Feast - Math Project

Heading into the holiday season is a great time to motivate students.  There are many ways that allow students to realize that the holiday season my be fun but can be costly.  In this project I have the students completely plan a holdiay dinner event.  I have them organize and cost out the entire day including figuring out the taxes that are incurred.  Here is the criteria that I am using this year.

The holiday season is upon us and it is time to start planning.  In many families this is a time to get together and enjoy the season.  This usually includes some sort of family dinner.  Your job is going to be to plan the dinner as though it was at your house and you are in charge of everything!!  You may plan a traditional turkey dinner or you may select non-traditional menu items of your own choice.

Requirements:

 

Guest List:

      Make a list of the people you wish to invite.  Make note of the food allergies or preferences of each guest. 

      List the age of each guest.

      You must invite a minimum of 4 people other than the ones already in your household

       **Design an invitation card for bonus**

Menu

      Plan your meal to comply with the Canada Food Guidelines

      List the appetizers, entrée items, dessert, and beverages in the order they will be served

      Create and decorate an attractive menu, similar to one you might find in a fine restaurant.

Shopping List

      Make a list of all the items you will need to buy and note the exact quantity of each item required. (You many need to purchase more than required of some items.)

      Include any special decorations, napkins, or other extras you have as part of your dinner

      Organize your list into categories. (eg.  Vegatables, meats, spices …)

Budget

      Beside each item on your shopping list you must have evidence of the price you are paying.  You may use ads or flyers, pictures or coupons as part of your evidence

      You must calculate the cost of your dinner party along with the taxes incurred for all items

      You must find which items are taxed and which are not.  GST 7% and PST 5% are the current rates.

 

Time Management

      You must plan out all the things you have to do in order to prepare for your dinner party, including the designing of the invitations and the time spent shopping.

      Make a day by day schedule in order that you are well prepared for your guests. 

      Make a specific schedule for the day of the dinner and when you start cooking, guests arrival , appetizers served, dinner served etc. 

 

Extras

      Think of ways that you will make this dinner special.  Add any activities or ideas that you have

 

 

One More Thing …..

***  There is more to this project as well so be prepared.  Start this project early so that you don’t get caught with too much work at the end!  It may look easy at first but putting together a successful event is more challenging than you might think.

 

 

You will be marked by on the following criteria:

 

Accurate calculations

Followed specifications

Organized work

Creativity              

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As you see I have them price out everything.  They can use coupons are compare prices within stores.  They also will use local flyers and many grocery stores also now have online shopping.  We also take a field trip to our local grocery store where they can record prices and ask the cashier and clerks about what is taxed and what isn't.  I give them an unlimited budget for it but they must try to stay reasonable.  The students realize that the cost of a dinner is way more expensive than they expected.  I even had a parent thank me for doing this project because her son now appreciates the expense of the holidays. 

Enjoy and if you like the idea please let me know.