Lesson Plan - Hey, Who Shrank My Cereal?

Preview the Article
Have students preview the article by studying the headline, subheadings, and photos. Discuss: What can you predict about this article using these nonfiction text features? 

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

• advocate
• subtle

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about ways companies are trying to hide shrinkflation.

1. Based on the article, why might a company be more likely to shrink the size of a product than to charge more for it?
A company might be more likely to shrink the size of a product than to charge more for it because consumers tend to notice price increases before they notice changes in the size of an item’s packaging.
^{R.5 Cause/Effect}

2. What are some ways companies might try to hide shrinkflation?
Companies often try to hide shrinkflation by making subtle changes to packaging, like indenting a jar on the bottom where consumers may not notice. Companies also use clever messaging, like saying that they made their bottles skinnier to make them easier to hold.
^{R.2 Key Details}

3. What advice do experts have for dealing with shrinkflation?
Experts suggest paying attention to unit pricing to make sure you get the best deal. And Edgar Dworsky suggests getting familiar with the sizes of the items you buy often so that you notice right away if the size or amount changes.
^{R.1 Explaining Ideas}

Featured Skill: Financial Literacy
Distribute the skill builder “Be a Smart Shopper!” and use the math tip to figure out how to calculate a product’s unit price. Have students work in small groups to complete the unit-price exercises on the page.
^{R.2 Main Idea}