Design a deal: a 35-minute pricing activity with bundles, grades 3–5

1. Ask: "Why do stores say 2 for $5 or buy 3, save more?" Collect ideas: to sell more at once, to make it feel like a good deal.
2. Find the profit on one bracelet together: $1.00 minus 40 cents is 60 cents.
3. Teams design one bundle. Example: 3 bracelets for $2.50. They find the cost (3 x 40 cents = $1.20) and profit ($2.50 - $1.20 = $1.30).
4. Teams compare: selling 3 bracelets one at a time earns $1.80 profit; the bundle earns $1.30. Ask: "Why might a business still offer the bundle?"
5. Teams test one bundle that mixes items, like a bracelet plus a bookmark, and check it still earns at least 50 cents.
6. Teams post their deal on a sign. The class votes on which deal they would buy and which earns the stand the most.

Differentiation: students who need support use whole-dollar prices and play coins. Students who are ready write a rule: "A bundle is only worth it if ___." English learners can use the words cost, price, profit and deal with matching symbols.

Quick check: "Two bookmarks cost 40 cents to make. You sell them as a pair for 80 cents. What is the profit?" (40 cents.)

More on UpOnly Learning (linked below): Money Meets Business explains profit, small businesses and how businesses raise money, with sources.

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