Receipt and Utility Bill Investigation

Hands-on exploration of financial documents to understand budgeting, taxes, and record-keeping

Duration

55 minutes

Group Size

Pairs

Subject

Financial Literacy

Activity Type

Investigation

6.EDM.3

Learning Objectives

Identify and interpret information on receipts and utility bills
Understand how taxes and fees are calculated and displayed
Recognize the importance of keeping financial records
Connect document analysis to budget planning and tracking

Materials Needed

Essential Materials:

• Sample receipts and utility bills from home
• Magnifying glasses for detailed examination
• Investigation worksheets
• Calculators for verification

Optional Materials:

• Document cameras for sharing findings
• Highlighters for marking key information
• Chart paper for class compilation
• Digital copies of sample documents

Activity Procedure

Step 1
Document Introduction (10 minutes)

• Students bring receipts and utility bills from home (with permission)
• Explain purpose: understanding financial information
• Distribute magnifying glasses for detailed examination
• Review privacy and respect guidelines for family documents

Step 2
Discovery Learning Process (30 minutes)

• Students work in pairs to explore documents systematically
• Use investigation worksheets to guide exploration
• Calculate and verify mathematical information
• Compare different types of documents and formats

Investigation Focus Areas:

Receipt Analysis:

• What information appears on receipts?
• How are taxes calculated and displayed?
• What payment methods are shown?
• What return/warranty information is provided?

Utility Bill Analysis:

• What details are on utility bills?
• How are charges calculated?
• What payment options are available?
• How is usage tracked over time?

Step 3
Findings Compilation (10 minutes)

• Pairs share discoveries with class
• Create comprehensive list of document information
• Discuss importance of keeping financial records
• Compare findings across different document types

Step 4
Budget Connection (5 minutes)

• Connect document information to budget planning
• Explain how receipts and bills help track expenses
• Preview upcoming budget creation activities
• Discuss digital vs. paper record-keeping options

Investigation Questions

Receipt Investigation

• What is the total amount spent? How is it calculated?
• What taxes or fees are included?
• What is the date and location of purchase?
• What payment method was used?
• What return or warranty information is provided?
• Are there any discount codes or savings shown?

Utility Bill Investigation

• What services are being charged for?
• How is usage measured and calculated?
• What is the billing period covered?
• Are there different rate structures?
• What payment options and due dates are listed?
• How does current usage compare to previous periods?

Assessment Criteria

Investigation Thoroughness (40%):

• Systematic examination of all document components
• Accurate identification of key information
• Attention to detail in calculations and verification
• Comparison across different document types

Discovery Sharing (30%):

• Clear communication of findings
• Contribution to class knowledge compilation
• Thoughtful questions and observations
• Active listening to others' discoveries

Understanding of Purpose (30%):

• Recognition of financial document importance
• Connection to budget planning and tracking
• Understanding of consumer protection aspects
• Appreciation for record-keeping practices

Extension Activities

• Create a family expense tracking system using receipts
• Compare utility bills across different seasons
• Research digital receipt and bill management apps
• Interview family members about their record-keeping methods
• Design a personal filing system for important documents
• Calculate annual expenses based on monthly utility bills

Safety and Privacy Considerations

• Ensure families are comfortable sharing financial documents
• Provide sample documents for students who cannot bring materials
• Respect privacy by not sharing specific amounts or personal information
• Focus on document structure rather than family financial details
• Return all family documents at end of activity