McGee Middle School students in Cindy Botticello’s Grade 6 math classes enjoyed seeing exactly where the math they’ve learned fits into their daily lives with “A Night Out to Dinner” activity.

The goal of the experience was to help students apply their knowledge of decimals, percentages and budget planning to a real-world situation like going out to a restaurant.

Working in pairs, students had the opportunity to choose from various local restaurants. Using authentic menus and being mindful of their $50 budget, student teams selected an appetizer, entree, beverage and dessert, while taking into account the state sales tax and gratuity.

Students learned how to revise their menu selections to stay within budget, while others strived to spend the least amount possible while still enjoying “dinner out.”