Teacher Introduction
Task:
Students are charged with the task of planning their dream vacation. They are to assume they have just inherited $30,000. However, before they can receive the money, they must show how they will use it. Students will research destinations to determine where they want to vacation. They will decide how many people are going with them and must plan for expenses for that number of people. Students will research and organize their findings into large categories, such as transportation, lodging, activities, meals, and other expenses. At the end of the project, they will present their findings to their peers.
Learning Goals:
Students will apply their knowledge of math to real world situations. They will better understand how math, technology, and life skills work together in real world situations through this project.
Math skills: Students will apply their knowledge of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to solve problems including whole numbers and decimals, show an understanding of place value, and determine what percent of the entire budget each large category is.
Technology Skills: Students will use a spreadsheet to collect and organize their expenses. They will create a presentation to show how they will spend their inheritance. Students will use the Internet to research destinations and plan how to get there.
Life Skills: Students will learn about managing money, creating a budget, planning a trip, and researching on the Internet.
Students are charged with the task of planning their dream vacation. They are to assume they have just inherited $30,000. However, before they can receive the money, they must show how they will use it. Students will research destinations to determine where they want to vacation. They will decide how many people are going with them and must plan for expenses for that number of people. Students will research and organize their findings into large categories, such as transportation, lodging, activities, meals, and other expenses. At the end of the project, they will present their findings to their peers.
Learning Goals:
Students will apply their knowledge of math to real world situations. They will better understand how math, technology, and life skills work together in real world situations through this project.
Math skills: Students will apply their knowledge of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to solve problems including whole numbers and decimals, show an understanding of place value, and determine what percent of the entire budget each large category is.
Technology Skills: Students will use a spreadsheet to collect and organize their expenses. They will create a presentation to show how they will spend their inheritance. Students will use the Internet to research destinations and plan how to get there.
Life Skills: Students will learn about managing money, creating a budget, planning a trip, and researching on the Internet.
Learners
This lesson was designed for 5th grade students to complete over two weeks. It could be modified to use with younger students. It is recommended that younger students complete the tasks by working in groups rather than individually. In addition, allowing more than two weeks to complete would be helpful for younger students.
Standards
Common Core Curriculum Math Standards
CCGPS.5.NBT.1 Recognize that in a multi-digit number, a digit in one place represents 10 times as much as it represents in the place to its right and 1/10 of what it represents in the place to its left.
CCGPS.5.NBT.7 Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals to hundredths, using concrete models or drawings and strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction; relate the strategy to a written method and explain the reasoning used.
ISTE Standards for Students
1. Creativity and innovation: Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.
a. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes
b. Create original works as a means of personal or group expression
2. Communication and collaboration: Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.
a. Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media
b. Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats
3. Research and information fluency: Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.
b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media
d. Process data and report results
4. Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making: Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.
b. Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project
c. Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions
CCGPS.5.NBT.1 Recognize that in a multi-digit number, a digit in one place represents 10 times as much as it represents in the place to its right and 1/10 of what it represents in the place to its left.
CCGPS.5.NBT.7 Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals to hundredths, using concrete models or drawings and strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction; relate the strategy to a written method and explain the reasoning used.
ISTE Standards for Students
1. Creativity and innovation: Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.
a. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes
b. Create original works as a means of personal or group expression
2. Communication and collaboration: Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.
a. Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media
b. Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats
3. Research and information fluency: Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.
b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media
d. Process data and report results
4. Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making: Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.
b. Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project
c. Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions