1. Plan It

Divide. Divide among your group members all the numbers on the list from 1950. Use the Bill for December, 1950 on page 255 of your textbook or the Fine Foods Market chart here on Education Place.

• Find today's prices for these items in a local store.
• Choose 3 - 5 different brands for each item.
• Use the same size containers as those listed -- pounds, dozens, and quarts.
• Keep careful records.

Our planning completed

2. Put It Together

Find the price. Find the price per pound, dozen, or quart of each item on the 1950 receipt. To do this, divide the total amount spent on each item by the number of pounds, dozens, or quarts bought.

• Find the price per pound, dozen, or quart for the brands collected today.
• Find the average prices for today.
• For each item, add the cost per pound, dozen, or quart for the brands collected. Then divide by the number of brands for that item.
• Create a chart for your data. See page 255 of your textbook or use the Today's Cost chart here on Education Place.

Our computations completed

3. Wrap It Up

A. Make a double-bar graph to show your data.

• Which prices changed the most?
• Which prices changed the least?

B. Write a report. Your report should explain why you think the prices have changed.

Report completed

4. Discuss Your Results

• How accurate are your price averages?
• Are your charts organized?
• Does your graph clearly compare prices from the past and present?
• Did your group cooperate while collecting data?
• Do you think families in 1950 got better buys on food than families today?
• Why or why not?

Review completed