Traveling Technology

Designed by:  Anna Messer, Bradley Elementary  

GRADE LEVEL: Five      SUBJECT:  Math (Computer Technology)

1) CORE CURRICULUM OBJECTIVE:  use local and world-wide network communication systems.   (5CT4-4)

* (PREREQUISITE~STUDENTS SHOULD ALREADY HAVE EXPERIENCE USING THE INTERNET)*

2) OVERVIEW:  Students will utilize various web-sites on the Internet to research and plan a mock trip to the destination of their choice.  The final product will be the construction of a vacation itinerary.

3) FOCUS/ESSENTIAL QUESTION(S):  If you had unlimited resources, where would you travel to?  How can you use the Internet to help plan a vacation to the destination of your choice?

4) TIME FRAME: three, fifty minute class sessions.

5) RESOURCES/MATERIALS:

TEACHER = travel brochures from a variety of locations world- wide, a world map, chart paper, markers, a list of useful web-sites (see list at the end of the lesson)

STUDENTS = computers (with Internet access), notebook paper, two sheets of constructions paper per group, pencils/pens, calculators, and crayons/markers.

6) CULMINATING ASSESSMENT: Each pair of students will be responsible for constructing a travel itinerary for their mock vacation.  The itinerary must contain the following information to be considered complete: destination, length of the trip, dates of the trip, transportation information, lodging information, places you will visit (local landmarks, etc.), restaurants that you will dine in, additional activities planned, and the web-sites or resources that you used to plan the trip.  The criteria list below will be given to each group prior to the completion of the final activity and can be used to assess and assign a grade for work completed.  Students will be given an opportunity to showcase their final itinerary on a class bulletin board or hallway display.

ITINERARY ASSESSMENT SHEET

Name(s)_______________________________   Date______________

100 Points = A

90 Points = B

80 Points = C

70 Points = D

Below 70 = F

10 Points = Destination Listed: On the itinerary, the complete name and location is listed.  You must list the geographical location (example: If you are visiting London, you must also tell me that it is located in England.)      

10 Points = Length of the Trip: On the itinerary, the number of days you will be on your trip must be listed.  You must be specific

10 Points = Dates of the Trip: On the itinerary, you must list the month and datesthat you will be on your vacation.

  10 Points = Transportation Information: On the itinerary, you must tell how you will get to your destination (air, sea, etc) and any departure information.

10 Points = Lodging Information: On the itinerary, you must list the name, address, and phone number of the place you will be staying.

10 Points = Places You Will Visit: On the itinerary, include any landmarks or attractions that you plan to visit in the area.

10 Points = Dining Information: On the itinerary, include a list of local restaurants or establishments that you plan to eat in during your stay.

10 Points = Additional Activities: On the itinerary, list any additional things that you want to do while on your trip (shopping, theatre, etc).

10 Points = Resources: In the back of your itinerary, compile a list of the web-sites that you used to research and plan you trip. 

10 Points = Cover Design: Your cover should include the name of where you will be vacationing, the dates of your trip, and your complete name.  Remember to decorate the cover so that it is attractive and neat.

10 BONUS POINTS WILL BE GIVEN TO ANY GROUP THAT CAN FIGURE OUT THE TOTAL COST OF THEIR VACATION.  PRICES MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE ITINERARY TO RECEIVE THE BONUS POINTS.

Total Points Earned____________        Final Grade________

7) INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES:

A.) To introduce the lesson, ask the students the first focus question and discuss student responses.  Lead in with the second focus question and create a list of student generated ideas on chart paper.  Talk about how technology can be an important tool when planning a trip or vacation.

B.) Explain to them that for the next few days they will be planning a mock vacation to the destination of their choice.  They will work with another classmate to plan the trip and will have no limitations to where they can go or how much money they can spend.  Explain that the final project will be a travel itinerary that will be displayed in the classroom or in the hallway.  Pass out one criteria and assessment sheet to each child and go over the requirements for the culminating activity.

     C.) Give the students the opportunity to choose a partner to work with on the project.  Pass out the necessary materials to begin planning and researching their trip: travel brochures, access to the world map, notebook paper, pencils, etc. (see material list).  Once they are in their groups, they may spend the rest of the class period talking with their partner about possible destinations and they may look through the brochures/world map.  Before they begin tomorrow's research, they should have a basic plan in mind: destination, dates, and transportation. 

(END OF DAY 1)

D.) Students will begin the research phase of the lesson today.  Post a list of useful web-sites on the board.  Have the students generate some ideas on how they can use these sites to find all of the necessary information for planning their trip.

E.) Each group may begin using the Internet to research and plan their trip. Remind them to take good notes on the information that they find and to be sure to include the address for each site that they utilized.  They should be using their criteria list as a guideline.  

(END OF DAY 2)

F.) Students will use the information that they collected yesterday to begin organizing and creating their travel itinerary.  Review the items that should be included in the final project in order to receive full credit.  Pass out the materials needed to complete the itinerary: calculators (for bonus point activity), construction paper, notebook paper, crayons, markers, and pens.

G.) Collect the final projects and the criteria sheets.  After you have assessed each group's itinerary, display them on a bulletin board or in the hallway with an explanation of the activity.  This will give others an opportunity to view the projects and it will also showcase the students' technology skills.

(END OF DAY 3)

Useful Web-Sites

http://family.go.com/Categories/Travel/

http://www.uktravel.com/index.html

http://www.exploring.nu/

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/goingplaces2/

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/97/bureau/

http://www.designltd.com/cats/

http://www.curiouskids.com/

http://www.lonelyplanet.com.au/dest/dest.htm

http://tawny.bu.edu/JandJ/

http://www.historytravel.com/

www.yahooligans.com