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National Bargain Hunting Week Lesson Plan
Second Week of August (August 11-17, 2025)
Grade Level: 4th-8th Grade (adaptable)
Duration: 50 minutes
Subject Integration: Mathematics, Social Studies, Life Skills
Download this lesson plan for your classroom here!
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Define bargain hunting and explain its cultural significance
- Calculate percentages and discounts using real-world examples
- Identify different types of bargain hunting venues and strategies
- Demonstrate smart shopping skills and budgeting concepts
- Analyze the benefits and potential drawbacks of bargain hunting
Materials Needed
- Sample store flyers/advertisements
- Calculators
- Play money or budget worksheets
- Price tags and items for mock store setup
- Chart paper and markers
- Copies of “Bargain Hunter’s Checklist” (provided below)
Lesson Introduction (10 minutes)
Opening Hook
Ask students: “Who here loves finding a great deal? Have you ever felt excited about getting something you wanted for less money than expected?”
Background Information
Introduce National Bargain Hunting Week, explaining that it’s observed during the second week of August each year. Share that bargain hunting has become both an art form and a popular recreational activity for millions of Americans, involving everything from flea markets and yard sales to clearance racks and off-price retailers.
Main Activities
Activity 1: Bargain Hunting Vocabulary (8 minutes)
Introduce key terms:
- Bargain hunting: The practice of searching for goods at reduced prices
- Clearance: Items marked down for quick sale
- Discount: A reduction in price
- Percentage off: The amount reduced from original price (e.g., 20% off)
- Flea market: A market selling secondhand goods
- Thrift store: A shop selling donated used items at low prices
Activity 2: Math in Bargain Hunting (15 minutes)
Discount Calculation Practice:
- Present real-world scenarios:
- A $20 shirt marked 30% off
- A $15 book with a $5 discount
- Buy-one-get-one-half-off deals
- Have students work in pairs to calculate:
- Final prices after discounts
- How much money they saved
- Which deal offers the best value
Sample Problems:
- Original price: $40, Discount: 25% off. What’s the final price?
- Store A: $12 item with 20% off vs. Store B: Same item for $10. Which is better?
Activity 3: Bargain Hunting Locations Map (10 minutes)
Create a classroom chart listing different bargain hunting venues:
- Yard Sales/Garage Sales: Unique finds, very low prices
- Thrift Stores: Gently used items, proceeds often support charities
- Clearance Sections: End-of-season items, discontinued products
- Flea Markets: Antiques, collectibles, handmade items
- Outlet Stores: Brand name items at reduced prices
- Online Deal Sites: Comparison shopping, flash sales
Discuss the pros and cons of each venue.
Activity 4: Smart Shopping Simulation (12 minutes)
Set up a mock classroom store with various “sale” items. Give student pairs a budget of $50 (play money) and a shopping list of needed items. They must:
- Compare prices between different “stores” (different classroom stations)
- Calculate discounts and taxes
- Stay within budget while getting the most value
- Explain their purchasing decisions
Discussion Questions
- What makes bargain hunting exciting for people beyond just saving money?
- How can bargain hunting become a social activity, as mentioned in the research?
- What should you consider before making a purchase, even if it’s a great deal?
- How does bargain hunting help families manage their budgets?
- What’s the difference between a good deal and impulse buying?
Assessment
Formative Assessment:
- Observe student participation during activities
- Check discount calculation accuracy
- Listen to reasoning during shopping simulation
Summative Assessment Options:
- Bargain Hunter’s Budget Challenge: Give students a scenario where they need to furnish a dorm room on a $200 budget using real store flyers
- Percentage Problem Set: 10 problems involving discount calculations
- Essay Prompt: “Explain why National Bargain Hunting Week celebrates more than just saving money”
Extension Activities
For Advanced Students:
- Research the history of bargain hunting in America
- Create a presentation on sustainable shopping and how thrift shopping helps the environment
- Design their own “National Week” celebrating a shopping or money-saving concept
For Struggling Students:
- Provide calculator for all math problems
- Focus on simpler percentage calculations (10%, 25%, 50% off)
- Partner with stronger math students for peer support
Take-Home Connection:
- Have students interview family members about their bargain hunting experiences
- Challenge students to find one “bargain” at home and calculate how much their family saved
- Create a family budget for a specific purchase using bargain hunting strategies
Cross-Curricular Connections
Social Studies:
- Discuss how economic conditions affect consumer behavior
- Explore the role of thrift stores and charity shops in communities
- Examine how bargain hunting reflects American consumer culture
Language Arts:
- Write persuasive paragraphs about the best bargain hunting strategies
- Read and analyze store advertisements for persuasive techniques
- Create vocabulary journal entries using bargain hunting terms
Art:
- Design creative “SALE” signs and advertisements
- Create a poster promoting National Bargain Hunting Week
Bargain Hunter’s Checklist for Students
Before making any purchase, ask yourself:
- Do I really need this item?
- Have I compared prices at different stores?
- Did I calculate the final price including tax?
- Am I staying within my budget?
- Is this item in good condition (if used)?
- Will I actually use this item regularly?
- Am I buying this just because it’s on sale?
Homework Assignment
“My Family’s Bargain Hunt” With a family member, visit one bargain hunting location (thrift store, clearance section, yard sale, etc.) or browse online deals together. Write a one-page reflection including:
- Where you went and what you were looking for
- One item you found and its original vs. sale price
- How much money you could save (calculate the percentage discount)
- Whether you decided to purchase the item and why
- What you learned about smart shopping
Additional Resources
Books for Further Reading:
- “The Everything Kids’ Money Book” by Brette Sember
- “Smart Money Smart Kids” by Dave Ramsey (selected chapters)
Websites for Research:
- National Day Calendar (for background on the week)
- Consumer Reports (for smart shopping tips)
- Local thrift store and flea market websites
Field Trip Ideas:
- Local thrift stores or consignment shops
- Community flea markets
- Outlet malls with guided tours
Teacher Notes
This lesson celebrates National Bargain Hunting Week while building essential life skills around budgeting, comparison shopping, and mathematical problem-solving. The activities can be scaled up or down depending on grade level and available time. Consider sending a note home to parents about the week’s focus so they can reinforce these concepts at home.
The lesson emphasizes that bargain hunting is about smart spending rather than just buying cheap items, helping students develop critical thinking skills around consumer choices that will benefit them throughout their lives.