In Melissa McNamara's fifth-grade CFJ classroom, math was brought to life with a hands-on 
project that turned numbers into meaningful action. The students became savvy shoppers for a day, navigating a digital flyer filled with everyday items to calculate costs and make "purchases" to donate to those in need.
The digital flyer featured household essentials, such as toothpaste, laundry detergent, deodorant, vacuums, toothbrushes, and nonperishable food items. Each item had a price tag, often with decimals, that students used as a basis for their calculations.
Their task? Determine the cost of purchasing multiple quantities of these items using multidigit multiplication, a challenging but essential math skill. One factor often included a decimal, adding an extra complexity layer. Through this activity, students honed their mathematical reasoning and learned to apply it in a realistic context. 
The project wasn't just about crunching numbers. Mrs. McNamara set a meaningful background story: the items being "bought" would be donated to those in need. This added a layer of purpose and excitement, motivating students to get their calculations just right.
To add an extra spark of motivation, students earned a "Starbucks" for every correct calculation. These Starbucks could be redeemed at a cozy classroom Starbucks Café after lunch. With warm cups of hot chocolate and sweet cake pops on the menu, students had plenty of incentive to stay focused and do their best.
This unique lesson blended critical math skills with creativity, real-world problem-solving, and a touch of fun. Not only did the students sharpen their ability to work with decimals and multiplication, but they also experienced the joy of working toward a goal that could make a difference in the lives of others.
By turning a math lesson into an engaging, real-life shopping experience, Mrs. McNamara showed her students that math isn’t just about numbers on a page. It’s a tool for solving everyday problems and making a positive impact.
