Title of Book: Pigs Will Be Pigs
Author: Amy Axelrod
ISBN-10: 0689812191
ISBN-13: 978-0689812194
Publisher: Aladdin (August 1, 1997)
Grade Levels Recommended: 3-5
TEKS:
3.1)Number, operation, and quantitative reasoning. The student uses place value to communicate
about increasingly large whole numbers in verbal and written form, including money. The
student is expected to:
(A) use place value to read, write (in symbols and words), and describe the value of whole
numbers through 999,999;
(B) use place value to compare and order whole numbers through 9,999; and
(C) determine the value of a collection of coins and bills.
Brief Summary: The book is about the Pig family who is hungry but has no cash to go out to eat
for dinner. They decide to hunt for spare cash and change in their house to fund a dinner out.
Once money is found they count it and head to the restaurant. After eating their full, the Pig
family goes home happy.
Activity: Students will be able to correctly plan and calculate the total amount of money needed
for specific items ordered from a given menu of foods
Materials Need: The book Pigs Will Be Pigs by Amy Axelrod. Individual copies for students of
the menu itself listed in the book; paper and pencil.
1. Launch the lesson---Engage. Read aloud to the students the story, Pigs Will Be Pigs, by Amy
Axelrod.
2. Discuss the story together. Let students share the situation where the pigs plan to eat together.
Note the menu items and the cost of each individual item.
3. Allow students to make correct combinations of food items and the calculated cost for each
example.
4. Have students share experiences of eating out together with family or friends. Discuss items
on menus and appropriate cost for different foods. If combinations of foods are requested, how
does one go about finding the total cost?
6. Allow students to share their findings with each other. Compare answers. Ask why correct
calculation is important when it comes to monetary concepts. Share the real life extension of
obtaining money to spend, through earnings, allowances, etc.
http://www.k-state.edu/smartbooks/Lesson050.html
Adapted by Jennifer Barrientes 2010