The idea, step by step
Plan a pretend shop
A class enterprise is a small activity in which a class makes or provides something. In our pretend shop, the class makes bookmarks.
Materials cost one dollar for each bookmark. Each bookmark sells for two dollars. These are supplied story prices: you do not need to buy real materials or collect money.
Money coming in and money going out
Making two bookmarks costs two dollars. Selling both brings in four dollars. Two of those four dollars replace the making cost, leaving two dollars.
Keep a simple record so the class knows what happened. Decide together how the remaining money could help the class. Ask an adult to help with any real activity.
A common trap
Treating all sales money as money left over.
Instead: First cover the money spent making the items. The rest is the money left.
See the thinking
Making three bookmarks
Materials cost one dollar per bookmark. How much do materials for three bookmarks cost?
- One bookmark needs one dollar of materials.
- Add one dollar for each of three bookmarks.
- One, two, three dollars are needed.
Sell, then cover the cost
The class spends three dollars making bookmarks and receives six dollars from selling them. How much remains after covering the cost?
- The class receives six dollars.
- Use three dollars to replace the making cost.
- Six take away three leaves three.
Check your understanding
Materials cost one dollar for each bookmark. How much is needed to make four bookmarks?
Show answer
4 dollars.
Count one dollar for each bookmark: one, two, three, four.
Your turn
6 questions · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- Materials for one bookmark cost one dollar. What do materials for two bookmarks cost?
- One bookmark sells for two dollars. What do two bookmarks sell for?
- The class spends two dollars and receives five dollars. How much remains after covering the cost?
- The class has four dollars for materials. Can it make five bookmarks if materials cost one dollar each?
- One group records a two-dollar sale. Another group records a two-dollar sale. Find the sales total.
- The class has three dollars left after its shop. Suggest a sensible way to decide what to do with it.
Read the worked solutions
- Materials for one bookmark cost one dollar. What do materials for two bookmarks cost?
One and one make two.
2 dollars. - One bookmark sells for two dollars. What do two bookmarks sell for?
Two and two make four.
4 dollars. - The class spends two dollars and receives five dollars. How much remains after covering the cost?
Five take away two leaves three.
3 dollars. - The class has four dollars for materials. Can it make five bookmarks if materials cost one dollar each?
Five bookmarks need five dollars.
No. It needs one more dollar. - One group records a two-dollar sale. Another group records a two-dollar sale. Find the sales total.
Combine both sales: two and two make four.
4 dollars. - The class has three dollars left after its shop. Suggest a sensible way to decide what to do with it.
A suitable answer includes a fair class decision and respects the three-dollar limit.
For example, discuss class needs and vote on an affordable choice, or agree to save it.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 and SA Curriculum Mathematics
Year 1 money modelling, needs and wants, simple class enterprise and consequences of financial choices. Activities use supplied pretend prices and whole-dollar amounts.
Official curriculum source ↗