Sale Savvy Teacher Guide Sale Savvy Students
Lesson Guide: Calculating Percent Discounts
Grade Level
6th Grade
Lesson Objective
Students will be able to calculate the dollar amount of a discount given a percentage. They will practice converting percentages to decimals and multiplying the original price by the discount rate.
Lesson Timeline
Warm-up: Percent Match (5 min)
00:00 - 00:05
Quick conversion practice to bridge percents and decimals.
Display the "Percent Match" slide.
Students quickly match 50% to 0.50, 25% to 0.25, 10% to 0.10, etc., in their notebooks.
Video Viewing & Guided Notes (10 min)
00:05 - 00:15
Watch "How to Calculate a Discount and Sale Price | Math with Mr. J"
Pause Points & Facilitation:
0:25 Pause to copy formulas:
1:40 Practice the decimal shift. Ask: "Why do we move it twice to the left?"
3:15 (Optional) Discuss why lining up decimals is critical for money subtraction.
Activity: Shopping Spree (20 min)
00:15 - 00:35
Students use the 15% off coupon to calculate discounts for 5 items in their "Retail Flyer". Encourage students to show all three steps:
Percent to Decimal Conversion
The Multiplication Setup
Final Discount Amount in Dollars
Closure & Discussion (10 min)
00:35 - 00:45
Share answers and facilitate a quick reflection:
Which item had the largest dollar discount? Why?
Does a 15% discount always mean the same amount of money?
Materials
Sale Savvy Slides
Shopping Spree Worksheet
Discount Detective Chart
Calculators (Optional)
Key Vocabulary
Discount Rate
The percentage taken off the price (e.g., 15%).
Original Price
The starting cost before any sales or coupons.
Decimal Conversion
Dividing a percent by 100 (moving decimal twice left).
Watch Out!
Students often multiply by the whole number (e.g., $68 × 15) instead of the decimal ($68 × 0.15). Remind them that a discount should be smaller than the original price!
Shopping Spree Worksheet Shopping Spree!
Mastering Percent Discounts
Name:
Date:
1
WARM-UP: Percent Match
Draw a line to match each percentage to its decimal form. Think: "Divide by 100!"
50%
0.15
25%
0.50
15%
0.05
5%
0.25
2
VIDEO NOTES: The Formulas
Step 1: Calculate the Discount
Original Price Rate of Discount (Decimal) = DISCOUNT
Decimal Practice: 15%
0 . 1 5
Move the decimal point twice to the left!
3
Main Event: Use Your 15% Off Coupon
15% OFF STOREWIDE!
Gamer Headphones
$84.00
Show Your Work: (Price × 0.15)
Total Discount:
$
Retro Sneakers
$120.00
Show Your Work: (Price × 0.15)
Total Discount:
$
Digital Watch
$32.00
Show Your Work: (Price × 0.15)
Total Discount:
$
Portable Speaker
$60.00
Show Your Work: (Price × 0.15)
Total Discount:
$
Skateboard Helmet
$45.50
Show Your Work: (Price × 0.15)
Total Discount:
$
SAVINGS REFLECTION
Which item had the biggest savings? Why did that happen?
Discount Breakdown Anchor Chart Discount Breakdown
How to calculate savings like a pro!
1
The Decimal Slide
Turn your PERCENT into a DECIMAL by moving the point twice to the left.
15%
.15
2
Find the Discount
Multiply the ORIGINAL PRICE by your DECIMAL RATE.
Original Price $80
Rate (Decimal) 0.15
=
Discount Amount $12.00
3
Calculate the Sale Price
Subtract the SAVINGS from the STARTING COST.
$80.00 Original
$12.00 Discount
$68.00 FINAL SALE PRICE!
Pro Tip: Calculator Shortcut
Many calculators have a % button! You can type 80 × 15 % to get the same answer instantly!
Sale Savvy Slides Sale Savvy Students
Calculating Percent Discounts
Grade 6 Math
01
Warm-up: Percent Match
Quick! Match the Percentage to its Decimal form in your notebook.
50%
?
25%
?
10%
?
5%
?
02
The Two-Step Method
Step 1: Calculate the Discount
Original Price Rate (Decimal) = DISCOUNT
Step 2: Calculate Sale Price
Original Price Discount = SALE PRICE
WATCH
Math with Mr. J
Pause & Practice
Embedded media
0:25
Copy the formulas into your notes.
1:40
Watch the decimal shift carefully!
3:15
Lining up decimals for subtraction.
03
Activity: Shopping Spree
15% OFF
Storewide Coupon
Your Task:
Select an item from your flyer.
Calculate the dollar amount of the discount.
Show every step of your work!
Don't Forget!
"A discount should make the price smaller. If your number gets bigger, check your decimal!"
Class Discussion
"Which item had the largest dollar savings? Why?"
"Does 15% off always mean you save the same amount of money?"
Ready to share? Raise your hand!
