Buying and Selling: Setting the Context Activity 3 Buying and Selling Essential Information

Consumer Education

Best Buys Activity to help learners develop numeracy by working out the real price of an item, from illustrated cards showing special price deals on supermarket items and an LCD television. Teaches the factors to think about to work out which is the best deal.

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1 Buying and selling: Unit 1 Activity 2 Best buys

This document provides activities to use with learners/ participants/ service users; the material has been written to include education focuses on literacy, numeracy, functional skills and English for speakers of other languages within a formal education setting. However if you wish to use the activities within an informal group or as part of an awareness raising campaign you will only need p5 onwards. Learning resources are not designed for tutors/ educators to advise their participants on specific cases; where necessary participants should be directed to the appropriate advice agency.

Unit/ Activity Consumer Literacy, language and numeracy Literacy ESOL Numeracy curriculum refs Key/ Functional focus education objectives curriculum curriculum Skills curriculum objectives refs refs refs Scan read price Use Use skimming, scanning and detailed AL Rt/L1.5 AE Rt/L1.3 AN N2/L1.2 AN N2/L1.10 KS C1.2 tags appropriate reading AN N2/L1.3 AN N2/L1.11 FS Reading L1 strategies to Solve problems relating to best buys AN N2/L1.5 AN MSS1/L1.1 work out and Use a range of using a range of appropriate and efficient compare real AN N2/L1.6 AN N1/L1.8 KS N1.2 strategies to numeracy strategies including addition, prices of items AN N2/L1.7 AN N1/L1.9 FS Maths L1 calculate subtraction, conversion within metric cheapest price system, use of decimals and calculation AN N2/L1.8 AN N2/L1.1 for each item of proportions, percentages and AN N2/L1.9 fractions, using a calculator, estimation and rounding

2 Differentiation Develop Use a range of strategies to develop AL Rt/L1.5 AE Rw/L1.1 KS C1.2 activity: understanding understanding of key vocabulary AL Rw/L1.3 AE Rw/L1.2 Identify and sort of key terms Read and understand information given words relating to and vocabulary in maths symbols in graphical and written basic maths in relation to material terms calculating costs of items Extension Research and Use searching, skimming, scanning and AL Rt/L2.1 AE Rt/L2.1 AN N1/L2.1 AN N2/L2.5 KS C2.2 activity: recognise the detailed reading online AL Rt/L2.2 AE Rt/L2.2 AN N1/L2.2 AN N2/L2.6 FS Reading L2 Research the different ways Identify the different ways that offers AL Rt/L2.3 AE Rt/L2.3 AN N2/L2.3 AN N2/L2.7 different ways that offers and and reductions are expressed online that offers and reductions are AL Rt/L2.5 AE Rt/L2.5 AN N2/L2.1 AN N2/L2.8 KS N2.2 Solve problems relating to offers and reductions are expressed AL Rt/L2.6 AE Rt/L2.6 AN N2/L2.2 AN N2/L2.9 FS Maths L2 reductions using a range of appropriate expressed online online and efficient numeracy skills and AL Rt/L2.7 AE Rt/L2.7 AN N2/L2.3 AN N2/L2.10 strategies AN N2/L2.4 AN MSS1/L2.1

3 RESOURCES AND PREPARATION

BS U1 Activity 2a Supermarket best buys price cards: copy and laminate one for each group. Cut across the dotted lines to separate the picture of the item from the price labels. Cut out the price labels BS U1 Activity 2b Supermarket best buys record sheet: one for each group BS U1 Activity 2c LCD TV best buys price card: one for each group BS U1 Activity 2d LCD TV specifications record sheet: one for each learner There are two different best buy activities depending on the numeracy level of the group. Calculators are needed for both activities. Teachers can adapt the content, items and prices of the activities to suit the age, interests, diets and life-styles of their group. For example, for 16 -19 year olds, the Supermarket best buys could be put in context of buying food and drink for a party or class trip. Appendix 7 Maths terms: optional - one set per group of cut up and laminated words (excluding yellow headings) enlarged to A3, plus one A4 copy for each learner Appendix 8 Maths terms bingo: optional - enlarged to A3 and laminated, one per group.

NUMERACY FOCUS with literacy features

SUGGESTED PROCEDURE

Ideas for support and differentiation

4 Depending on the level of learners’ language skills and/or understanding of basic numeracy terms, before they do the Best buy activity, check their understanding of the key terms. Write up the following main maths symbols on the board in this order:

+ - × ÷ = Elicit suggestions for different names for each of these e.g. add, plus, minus, take away, is equal to. Divide learners into groups. Give each group Appendix 8 Maths terms bingo card on large sheets of card or thick paper, glue, paints, pens, scissors, guillotine and terms. Ask them to place each word under the correct heading. Give each learner a copy of Appendix 7 Maths terms to check their answers against.

Supermarket best buys:  Set the context by discussing some of the different ways that goods can be priced such as: buy one get one free, % reduction, half price. Explain to learners that they are going to practise working out best buys in relation to cheapest price N.B. in some other activities learners are asked to identify factors in addition to price which indicate a best buy.  Divide learners into small groups and give each group a set of BS U1 Activity 2a Supermarket best buys price cards.  First learners find the two price labels for each product and then work out which price label reflects the best buy for each of the products and attach their selected price label to each special offer card. Explain to learners that they can use any strategies they wish to work out their answers, including use of calculators, but will need to explain which strategy they used.

The number of price card products given to each pair can be adjusted according to their level, ranging from two to a full set.

 Learners then record their decisions on the BS U1 Activity 2b Supermarket best buys record sheet.

Supermarket best buys answers:

Beans Apples Chips Ice cream Biscuits Lemonade Coffee Blackcurrant juice

Supermarket 27p £1.20 £1.80 £1.05 96p for 2 94p for 2 £2.68 per 100 £2.47 per litre

5 1 price packets litres g

Supermarket 24p £1.35 £1.70 £1.10 99p for 2 85p for 2 £2.67 per 100 £3.32 per litre 2 price packets litres g

Cheapest Supermarket Supermarket Supermarket Supermarket Supermarket Supermarket Supermarket Supermarket 1 supermarket 2 1 2 1 1 2 2

 Check answers as a group and discuss strategies which shops use to entice buyers to buy products and to what extent these really do reflect real savings, e.g. – Why do shops use different wordings such as ‘buy one get one free’ or ‘two for the price of one’? Does the value of the offer depend on the goods, e.g. if goods are perishable? Are quality and other factors sometimes more important than price?

LCD TV best buys answers:  This activity can be put in the context of learners buying a new digital TV for themselves or making a recommendation for a friend or relative.

Model A Model B Model C

Electrical £99.99 £149.99 £159.99 store 1: Price: £99.99 £10 off this month Price: £139.99 15% off this month Price: £135.99

Electrical £119.99 £149.99 £159.99 Store 2: Price: £119.99 + free set top box 10% online discount Price: £134.99 £30 off (online offer)Price: £129.99

 Elicit ideas on what is important to consider other than price. Suggestions may include whether or not a TV is digital ready (as indicated by digital tick logo), whether you need an additional digital set top box; the make; screen size; quality; terms and conditions of guarantees and warranties; technical support.  Give learners in each group a copy of BS U1 Activity 2d LCD TV specifications. First ask learners to look at the specification column only, then discuss what each row means and underline or highlight any new words to discuss in their groups.  Check understanding with the whole group and elicit definitions and explanations from learners as far as possible, including: 6 LCD = Liquid crystal display: technology for displaying the picture on flat-panel screens. It is particularly suitable for large-size TV screens. N.B. The alternative technology for flat screen TVs is plasma. pixels = tiny dots of light which make up images on TV and computer screens. scart = an audio/video connector used for sound and video input in consumer equipment. It has a distinctive slant at one end of the metal surround.  In their groups learners compare the TV specifications and decide whether or not they still think the same TV represents the best buy.  Ask each group to briefly explain to the whole group which TV they have finally chosen as the best buy and the reasons why.  Have a whole group discussion to compare results and discuss the different strategies used. Emphasise that although there may be several ways of calculating a best buy, some may be more efficient in a real life situation.

The task requires comparison of prices and specifications of three digital TVs and conversion between inches and centimetres. The task can be simplified by changing the screen size of Model C to 15 inches or simplified further by removing the illustration, prices and column for Model C.

 Divide learners into groups and give out BS U1 Activity 2c LCD TV best buys price card. Explain that learners need to calculate the cost for each TV and work out which is the cheapest. Explain that they can use any strategies they wish, including use of calculators, but will need to explain which strategy they used to reach their answers.  Elicit possible answers from the whole group. N.B. This activity does not have one single correct answer, as factors such as whether or not the buyer wants or already has a digital set top box will also be important considerations.

Ideas for Level 2 and/or extension activities

Supermarket focus: In pairs, learners choose different supermarket websites or different sections of the same supermarket website to research how reductions and offers are presented e.g. % offers, buy one get one free. Each pair records offer details, such as: original price, % reduction and new price. They then conceal the original price and make questions for each other such as:

7 – This washing machine was £319.97 and it has a saving of £30. How much is it now? Answer: £289.97 – These chicken drumsticks were £4.99 and they have a 20% reduction. How much are they now? Answer: £3.99 Extend to offers containing a certain amount free such as: – A bottle of washing up liquid is 750 ml and includes 1/3 free. How many ml. are you getting free? Answer: 250ml Learners can be given five examples to do in pairs. Check main findings, answers and strategies used as a whole group. TV focus: Learners research plasma and LCD TVs and prepare a short presentation on the advantages and disadvantages of each to compare: – sizes of TVs and consider screen size in relation to space available – sizes of TVs and fitting them into the space available e.g. in alcoves – cost of TVs in relation to size and specification.

8 Buying and selling: Unit 1 Activity 2a Supermarket best buys price cards Best buys

Supermarket 1 Supermarket 2 Beans 150 g Beans 150 g Was 30p Was 36p Now 10% off Now 1/3 off

9 10 Buying and selling: Unit 1 Activity 2a Best buys price cards Best buys

Supermarket 1 Supermarket 2 Bag of 7 apples Bag of 7 apples Was £1.50 Was £1.80 Now 20% off Now 1/4 off

11 12 Buying and selling: Unit 1 Activity 2a Best buys price cards Best buys

Supermarket 1 Supermarket 2 Oven chips 2.25 kg Oven chips 2.25 kg Was £2.40 Was £2.00 Now 25% off Now 15% off

13 Buying and selling: Unit 1 Activity 2a Best buys price cards Best buys

Supermarket 1 Supermarket 2 Vanilla ice cream Cornish dairy 2 litres ice cream 2 litres Was £1.50 Was £2.20 NowLessco’s 30% off Now half price Vanilla ice cream Gainsbury’s30% off 2 litres Cornish dairy ice cream 2 litres Was £1.50 Was £2.20 14 Now 30% off Now Half price 30% off Buying and selling: Unit 1 Activity 2a Best buys price cards Best buys

Supermarket 1 Supermarket 2 Shortcake biscuits Shortcake biscuits 400 g 400 g £0.64 £0.99 Lessco’s Gainsbury’s Buy one get one Buy one get one free Shortcakehalf price biscuits Shortcake biscuits 400g 400g £0.64 £0.99 Buy one get one Buy one get one free15 half price Buying and selling: Unit 1 Activity 2a Best buys price cards Best buys

Supermarket 1 Supermarket 2 Lemonade Lemonade 1 litre 2 litres £0.47 £0.85 Lessco’s Gainsbury’s Lemonade Lemonade

1 litre 2 litres 16 £0.47 £0.85 Buying and selling: Unit 1 Activity 2a Best buys price cards Best buys

Supermarket 1 Supermarket 2 Instant coffee 100 g Instant coffee Was £2.98 200 g Now 10% off £5.34

17 Lessco’s Gainsbury’s Instant coffee 100g Instant coffee Was £2.98 200g Now 10% off £5.34

18 Buying and selling: Unit 1 Activity 2a Best buys price cards Best buys

Supermarket 1 Supermarket 2 Blackcurrant juice Blackcurrant juice 1 litre 600 ml £2.47 £1.99

19 Buying and selling: Unit 1 Activity 2b Supermarket best buys record sheet Best buys record sheet

Cheapest Actual price Offer item supermarket per item/unit (circle)

Supermarket 1 Beans Supermarket 2

Apples Supermarket 1 Supermarket 2

Chips Supermarket 1 Supermarket 2

Ice cream Supermarket 1 Supermarket 2

Biscuits Supermarket 1 Supermarket 2

Lemonade Supermarket 1 Supermarket 2

Coffee Supermarket 1 Supermarket 2

Blackcurrant Supermarket 1 juice Supermarket 2

20 Buying and selling: Unit 1 Activity 2c LCD TV best buys price card LCD TV best buys

Which TV do you think is the best buy? Why? Model A

Electrical store 2: Electrical store 1: £119.99 £99.99 + free digital set top box

Model B Electrical store 1: Electrical store 2: £149.99 £149.99 + an extra + 10% online £10 off discount this month only!

Model C

Electrical store 1: Electrical store 2: £159.99 £159.99 + an extra Order online and 15% off get an extra this month! £30 off!

21 Buying and selling: Unit 1 Activity 2d LCD TV specifications

LCD TV specifications

Model A Model B Model C Specifications

Screen size 15 inches 15 inches 38.1 cm Picture quality 786432 pixels 786432 pixels 1024 x 768 pixels Flat screen Yes Yes Yes Sound quality NICAM NICAM NICAM Viewable screen size 14.9 inches 14.9 inches 38 cm Inbuilt digital tuner No Yes Yes Brightness 200 cd/m² 200 cd/m² 200 cd/m² Contrast ratio 500:1 500:1 450:1 No. of scarts 1 1 1 Stand included Yes Yes Yes Wall mountable Yes Yes Yes Parental lock No No Yes Auto install Yes Yes Yes Sleep timer No No Yes Fastext Yes Yes Yes Remote control Yes Yes Yes picture quality: the higher the number of pixels the better the picture resolution brightness: generally, the higher the number the better the picture quality but picture quality is actually determined by how well brightness and contrast work together contrast: the higher the contrast ratio the better the picture quality sleep timer: the T.V. can be set to turn off automatically auto install: automatically tunes the T.V. and sets up different channels

22 Mathsterms bingo terms 8 Maths bingo Appendix Mathsterms terms 7 Maths Appendix A Add A by increase more than T of sum P otal lus nd ltogether Addition + reduceby lessthan minus difference decrease by remove subtract awaytake subtraction - Product lots of By Times Multiply multiplication × share share equally of groups Split Divide Division ÷ value ofvalue Make sameas Are Is Equals = 23 Appendix Addition + subtraction - multiplication × division ÷ Equals = 24 Appendix