Description
This differentiated open-ended math project challenges 4th grade and 5th grade students with real-world problem solving centered around planning a bake sale to raise money for an animal shelter. Students apply addition and subtraction with money, basic multiplication, table reading, and multi-step problem solving through a low floor high ceiling task — at two levels so every learner is challenged.
This isn't a worksheet. It's a thinking task.
Your students are going to plan an entire bake sale — figuring out what to sell, how much to charge, and how to maximize donations for the shelter. Two students can work on the same problem and come up with completely different answers. Both can be right. That's the point.
What Makes This Different:
Regular word problems give students a question and expect one answer. This project gives students a real-world situation and asks them to figure out what to do with it — then defend their thinking in writing. The math is rigorous. The engagement is real. (Note: because this is a true open-ended task, there is no single answer key for the main project — that's intentional.)
What's Included:
- "Math by the Numbers" data sheet in color, black and white, and digital versions — at two levels so you can use this with your whole class without anyone being left out or unchallenged
- Open-ended challenge with written justification built in
- Follow-up reflection prompts
- Three leveled practice pages (two levels each, answer keys included)
- Discussion starters to deepen math talk
- Extension ideas for students who want to go further
- Digital access!
How Teachers Use This:
- Whole-class problem solving with built-in differentiation
- Math workshop or centers
- Small group enrichment or TAG projects
- Fast finisher work
- Between-unit review
- Sub plans
Also a strong fit for advanced 3rd grade students.
Why Teachers Love This:
- Same task, two levels — your whole class works together without anyone feeling singled out
- Students are talking, writing, collaborating, and actually thinking about math
- No prep beyond printing — everything is ready to go
- Real-world context makes the math feel meaningful, not manufactured
- The animal shelter theme gives students a genuine reason to care about getting the math right
Want to save 25% on the bundled set? Just CLICK HERE!
It is ideal for 4th and 5th graders (and advanced 3rd graders) and could be used in other grade levels at your discretion.
What are teachers saying about this resource?
"This is an outstanding resource! I appreciated how organized and easy to use it was!"
"I bought this for my students who need an extra challenge in math. I loved how this resource could allow me to differentiate this for my students. I also loved how there's extra practice questions and extension activities included! I am very happy with this resource!"
"We are constantly being told to do more PBL activities. Thank you for setting this up for me and doing the work. I appreciate you!"
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Looking for more Thinker Task resources? Here is the complete list!
Back to School Shopping Problem
A Valentine Celebration Problem
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All rights reserved by ©The Teacher Studio. Purchase of this resource entitles the purchaser the right to reproduce the pages in limited quantities for single classroom use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or commercial purposes is strictly forbidden without written permission from the author at fourthgradestudio@gmail.com. Additional licenses are available at a reduced price.
Bake Sale Differentiated Math Project | Open-Ended Problem Solving | 4th - 5th
Highlights
Save even more with bundles
Description
This differentiated open-ended math project challenges 4th grade and 5th grade students with real-world problem solving centered around planning a bake sale to raise money for an animal shelter. Students apply addition and subtraction with money, basic multiplication, table reading, and multi-step problem solving through a low floor high ceiling task — at two levels so every learner is challenged.
This isn't a worksheet. It's a thinking task.
Your students are going to plan an entire bake sale — figuring out what to sell, how much to charge, and how to maximize donations for the shelter. Two students can work on the same problem and come up with completely different answers. Both can be right. That's the point.
What Makes This Different:
Regular word problems give students a question and expect one answer. This project gives students a real-world situation and asks them to figure out what to do with it — then defend their thinking in writing. The math is rigorous. The engagement is real. (Note: because this is a true open-ended task, there is no single answer key for the main project — that's intentional.)
What's Included:
- "Math by the Numbers" data sheet in color, black and white, and digital versions — at two levels so you can use this with your whole class without anyone being left out or unchallenged
- Open-ended challenge with written justification built in
- Follow-up reflection prompts
- Three leveled practice pages (two levels each, answer keys included)
- Discussion starters to deepen math talk
- Extension ideas for students who want to go further
- Digital access!
How Teachers Use This:
- Whole-class problem solving with built-in differentiation
- Math workshop or centers
- Small group enrichment or TAG projects
- Fast finisher work
- Between-unit review
- Sub plans
Also a strong fit for advanced 3rd grade students.
Why Teachers Love This:
- Same task, two levels — your whole class works together without anyone feeling singled out
- Students are talking, writing, collaborating, and actually thinking about math
- No prep beyond printing — everything is ready to go
- Real-world context makes the math feel meaningful, not manufactured
- The animal shelter theme gives students a genuine reason to care about getting the math right
Want to save 25% on the bundled set? Just CLICK HERE!
It is ideal for 4th and 5th graders (and advanced 3rd graders) and could be used in other grade levels at your discretion.
What are teachers saying about this resource?
"This is an outstanding resource! I appreciated how organized and easy to use it was!"
"I bought this for my students who need an extra challenge in math. I loved how this resource could allow me to differentiate this for my students. I also loved how there's extra practice questions and extension activities included! I am very happy with this resource!"
"We are constantly being told to do more PBL activities. Thank you for setting this up for me and doing the work. I appreciate you!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Looking for more Thinker Task resources? Here is the complete list!
Back to School Shopping Problem
A Valentine Celebration Problem
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All rights reserved by ©The Teacher Studio. Purchase of this resource entitles the purchaser the right to reproduce the pages in limited quantities for single classroom use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or commercial purposes is strictly forbidden without written permission from the author at fourthgradestudio@gmail.com. Additional licenses are available at a reduced price.
