Description

This activity is designed for students to complete after learning about solving systems of linear equations. The activity gives students a real-life perspective on systems of equations by using the motivation that only candy can provide. Students will receive a paper bag (stapled closed) filled with a combination of Mega M&M's and bite sized Milky Ways. Each bag has the number of total candies within written on its side so that students may see the total number of candies. (I give one bag per group of two to four students.) Using only a scale and some math, they will determine how many of each type of candy their bag contains. This activity guides them through defining variables, writing equations, and discovering the answer.

Materials

• One copy of the activity sheet for each student
• Small paper bags filled with a combination of Mega M&M's and bite-sized Milky Ways. (For students with allergies, you may choose to use other candies.)
• A scale that is capable of measuring light objects. 
• Individual pieces of each type of candy for students to weigh to write their equations.

Teacher Preparations

• Before the activity, sort students into small groups. I recommend 2 to 4 students per group. Group arrangements are up to individual teachers but I choose to group mine by personality with specific roles. For example, I put my strongest student as the leader/speaker, my struggling student as the writer/recorder while the other two are fact checkers and readers. I also make sure that if I have an unmotivated student I make them the gofer so they will be up moving. 
• Before the activity, place various amounts of M&Ms and Milky Ways into small paper bags. Write the TOTAL number of candies on the outside of the bags, and staple them shut. (Tip: I keep a list of how many of each type of candy I put into each bag, and I label the bags A through H so that I know how many of each candy is in each group's bag.)
• Also take an empty bag and staple it shut. (You will need to subtract the weight of the bag and staple from all of the results so that you only have the weight of the candy.)
• Tell students that no one may open their bag until you give them the okay.
•  Help each group weigh their bag... or you could pre-weigh them yourself and write the weight on the bag.
• Remind students that, as with all group work, the goal is that everyone in the group learns & understands the material-- not that they were just able to copy it down onto their paper.
  

Activity

In groups of 3-4 students are given all materials. Then students will use the guided worksheet and materials to collect necessary data, write the systems of equations that represents their data and then apply their solutions to the situation. 

Student handout: