Mathematics · Grade 9

Active learning ideas

Unit Pricing and Best Buys

Active learning works for unit pricing because students need to practice calculations in real contexts to see how unit prices change across sizes and deals. When they compare actual flyers or simulate shopping, the math becomes meaningful and the concept sticks.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.RP.A.3.B

• 25–45 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Stations Rotation
• 45 min · Small Groups

Flyer Analysis: Unit Price Hunt

Distribute grocery flyers to small groups. Students select three similar products, calculate unit prices using consistent units like per 100g, and rank best buys. Groups share top picks with justifications on chart paper.

Justify the use of unit pricing to determine the best value among different product sizes.

Facilitation Tip

During Flyer Analysis, have students highlight the price and quantity on each product to ensure they use the correct numbers for their calculations.

What to look for

Provide students with three different sizes of the same product (e.g., juice boxes: 6-pack, 12-pack, 24-pack) with their prices. Ask them to calculate the unit price for each and identify the best buy, showing their work.

• Remember
• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills

Activity 02

• Stations Rotation
• 30 min · Pairs

Promotion Breakdown: Deal Decoder

Provide product scenarios with promotions. Pairs compute regular unit prices, then adjust for BOGO or discounts. They compare results and explain which offer saves most per unit.

Analyze how promotional offers (e.g., 'buy one get one free') affect the true unit price.

Facilitation Tip

For Promotion Breakdown, provide calculators and colored pencils to help students track how BOGO deals alter unit prices step by step.

What to look for

Present a scenario: 'A store offers a 1-liter bottle of soda for $2.50 or a 2-liter bottle for $4.00. A 'buy one get one free' deal is available on the 1-liter bottles, making it two bottles for $2.50. Which is the best buy, and why? Discuss how the BOGO offer changes the unit price calculation.'

• Remember
• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills

Activity 03

• Stations Rotation
• 40 min · Small Groups

Shopping Simulation: Best Buy Relay

Set up stations with product images and prices. Teams relay to calculate unit prices for assigned items, tag next teammate. Whole class reviews fastest accurate team.

Construct a comparison of two similar products to identify the most cost-effective option.

Facilitation Tip

In Shopping Simulation, set a timer so teams race to find the best buy, then pause to discuss why some groups chose differently.

What to look for

On an index card, have students write down the unit price for a product of their choice (e.g., a bag of apples costing $5.00 for 10 apples). Then, ask them to explain in one sentence why calculating unit price is important for making smart purchasing decisions.

• Remember
• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills

Activity 04

• Stations Rotation
• 25 min · Individual

Receipt Review: Personal Audit

Students bring or use sample receipts. Individually calculate unit prices for five items, note best buys. Share insights in whole class discussion.

Justify the use of unit pricing to determine the best value among different product sizes.

Facilitation Tip

During Receipt Review, ask students to swap receipts with a partner to check each other’s unit prices for accuracy.

What to look for

Provide students with three different sizes of the same product (e.g., juice boxes: 6-pack, 12-pack, 24-pack) with their prices. Ask them to calculate the unit price for each and identify the best buy, showing their work.

• Remember
• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills

A few notes on teaching this unit

Start with concrete examples before abstract rules, like comparing a single roll of paper towels to a bulk pack. Use guided practice with scaffolding, such as color-coding the numbers in a problem, then slowly remove supports. Research shows students grasp unit pricing better when they physically rearrange products or receipts to compare.

Students will confidently calculate unit prices, compare options, and explain which is the better buy using evidence from their work. They will justify choices by showing how unit prices change with promotions or package sizes.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Flyer Analysis, watch for students who assume larger packages are always cheaper without calculating.

  Have them create a comparison chart with unit prices for each size, then lead a class discussion where groups present findings to challenge initial assumptions.

• During Promotion Breakdown, watch for students who think BOGO deals always lower the unit price by half.

  Provide promo cards with varying original prices and quantities, then guide them to recalculate unit prices to see when the deal actually helps or doesn’t.

• During Shopping Simulation, watch for students who compare prices without standardizing units.

  Assign roles where one student converts all quantities to the same unit (e.g., grams) while another calculates the price, then have them compare their corrected work as a group.

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Methods used in this brief

• Stations Rotation