From Past to Present.

Mrs. Costanzo’s 7th-grade math students at Chippewa Jr./Sr. High School are diving into real-world math, comparing the cost of everyday items from 1970 to 2025 to calculate percent change.

In Mrs. Costanzo’s 7th-grade math class, history and mathematics intersected as students explored how the price of everyday items has changed over time. From movie tickets to gallons of milk, students compared 1970 prices to today’s costs, calculating the percent change and uncovering fascinating trends.

Working in small groups, students analyzed data, discussed reasons behind price shifts, and connected their findings to economic concepts like inflation and supply and demand. The activity not only strengthened their understanding of percent change but also gave them a new perspective on how math applies to the real world.

The classroom buzzed with excitement as students shared their discoveries, amazed at how much the cost of some items had skyrocketed while others had remained relatively stable.

By blending historical context with mathematical problem-solving, Mrs. Costanzo’s class turned numbers into meaningful insights, making learning both engaging and practical.