Description
- In this Riverton School Event Vendor Challenge, students act as members of the Riverton Student Leadership Budget Team. Their job is to help Riverton Middle School choose the best vendor plan for a Spring Celebration Night.
Students must build cost models, compare pricing plans, work within a budget, test attendance risk, and write a final recommendation supported by mathematical evidence.
This project is designed as a culminating end-of-unit performance task, not an introductory lesson or worksheet packet. Students use math as a decision-making tool as they compare realistic options and justify their choices.
Students will:
- define variables in context
- write and interpret vendor cost expressions
- identify equivalent expressions
- evaluate expressions at different attendance levels
- compare vendor pricing structures
- work within a $975 spending limit
- consider optional add-ons and included services
- write and interpret inequalities
- analyze attendance risk
- defend a final recommendation using math evidence
- explain trade-offs between cost, value, and flexibility
What’s Included
This resource includes:
- Student Project Packet
- Structured Answer Key
- Teacher Guide
- Scoring Rubric
Standards Addressed
This project supports the following 7th Grade Common Core standards:
- 7.EE.A.1
- 7.EE.A.2
- 7.EE.B.3
- 7.EE.B.4
Students apply expressions, equivalent expressions, multi-step real-world problem solving, variables, equations, and inequalities in a meaningful planning context.
Suggested Use
This project works well as a 4–5 day end-of-unit task.
Suggested pacing:
- Day 1: Introduction + Part 1
- Day 2: Part 2
- Day 3: Part 3
- Day 4: Part 4
- Day 5: Final Recommendation + Reflection
It can be completed independently, with partners, or in small groups.
Perfect For
- 7th grade expressions and equations units
- end-of-unit projects
- math performance tasks
- real-world math application
- partner work
- standards-based assessment
- enrichment
- review before a unit test
- sub plans for advanced classes
Why Teachers Like This Project
This project gives students a realistic reason to use algebraic thinking. Instead of solving disconnected problems, students must make a decision and defend it. They are responsible for comparing options, checking constraints, explaining trade-offs, and using math evidence clearly.
If this resource supports meaningful math thinking in your classroom, I’d appreciate your feedback and review.
7th Grade Expressions and Equations Project, Real-World Math Performance Task
Highlights
Description
- In this Riverton School Event Vendor Challenge, students act as members of the Riverton Student Leadership Budget Team. Their job is to help Riverton Middle School choose the best vendor plan for a Spring Celebration Night.
Students must build cost models, compare pricing plans, work within a budget, test attendance risk, and write a final recommendation supported by mathematical evidence.
This project is designed as a culminating end-of-unit performance task, not an introductory lesson or worksheet packet. Students use math as a decision-making tool as they compare realistic options and justify their choices.
Students will:
- define variables in context
- write and interpret vendor cost expressions
- identify equivalent expressions
- evaluate expressions at different attendance levels
- compare vendor pricing structures
- work within a $975 spending limit
- consider optional add-ons and included services
- write and interpret inequalities
- analyze attendance risk
- defend a final recommendation using math evidence
- explain trade-offs between cost, value, and flexibility
What’s Included
This resource includes:
- Student Project Packet
- Structured Answer Key
- Teacher Guide
- Scoring Rubric
Standards Addressed
This project supports the following 7th Grade Common Core standards:
- 7.EE.A.1
- 7.EE.A.2
- 7.EE.B.3
- 7.EE.B.4
Students apply expressions, equivalent expressions, multi-step real-world problem solving, variables, equations, and inequalities in a meaningful planning context.
Suggested Use
This project works well as a 4–5 day end-of-unit task.
Suggested pacing:
- Day 1: Introduction + Part 1
- Day 2: Part 2
- Day 3: Part 3
- Day 4: Part 4
- Day 5: Final Recommendation + Reflection
It can be completed independently, with partners, or in small groups.
Perfect For
- 7th grade expressions and equations units
- end-of-unit projects
- math performance tasks
- real-world math application
- partner work
- standards-based assessment
- enrichment
- review before a unit test
- sub plans for advanced classes
Why Teachers Like This Project
This project gives students a realistic reason to use algebraic thinking. Instead of solving disconnected problems, students must make a decision and defend it. They are responsible for comparing options, checking constraints, explaining trade-offs, and using math evidence clearly.
If this resource supports meaningful math thinking in your classroom, I’d appreciate your feedback and review.
