In this lesson, students will determine the best way to travel from one city to another by comparing costs, miles traveled, and time using air travel, train travel, or car travel.  Students will have to determine total mileage, total time, and total costs for all three methods of transportation.  Ultimately, the students will write a travel itinerary which explains their reasons for choosing a specific method of transportation.

Subject: Mathematics
Topic: Mathematical Reasoning
Grade Level: 6th
Student Lesson

Number Sense
2.0 Students calculate and solve problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication and division

2.3 Solve addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems, including those arising in concrete situations, that use positive and negative integers and combinations of these operations

2.3 Solve problems involving rates, average speed, distance, and time.

2.2 Apply strategies and results from simpler problems to more complex problems.

 2.5 Express the solution clearly and logically by using the appropriate mathematical notation and terms and clear language; support solutions with evidence in both verbal and symbolic work.

3.2 Note the method of deriving the solution and demonstrate a conceptual understanding of the derivation by solving similar problems.

Instructional Objectives

In this lesson, the students will be able to use different online resources to plan a trip to the East Coast. 
Specific Objectives:
1.  The students will choose a city on the East Coast that is at least 2500 miles away from Sacramento.
2.  The students will complete a criteria matrix to determine the features that are most important in travel.
3.  The students will estimate the time and cost associated with each form of travel.
4.  The students will compare the cost and time of air travel on three different airlines.
5.  The students will compare the cost and time of train travel using two different routes.
6.  The students will calculate the time and cost involved in traveling via car.
7.  The students will compare their results with the initial matrix to determine which is the best method of travel.
8.  The students will present their findings in a written report and create an itinerary for their trip.
 

Student Activities

Activity One -- Where Are You Going?
In the first activity, the students will choose a city on the East Coast that they would like to visit.  The students will use a criteria matrix to determine the features that are most important in travel.  They will also estimate the costs and time needed to travel to that city using three different modes of transportation - air travel, train travel, and driving. 

Activity Two -- The Friendly Skies
In this activity, the students will compare the costs and time duration of air travel on three different airlines.  The students will also record any terms and conditions associated with the fare and list any amenities offered by the airline such as food and movies.

Activity Three -- All Aboard!
In this activity, the students will compare the costs and time duration of train travel using two different routes on Amtrak.  The students will also record any additional costs for food or entertainment while on the train.

Activity Four -- Hit the Road
In this activity, the students will need to determine the distance, time, and costs involved in driving to the East Coast.  The students will utilize an online map program to caculate the total driving miles needed and break that down into reasonable driving distances for each day.  The students will also need to record the costs for gas, food, and lodging along the route.  This activity takes the longest to complete and involves the most computational math.

 Activity Five -- You've Arrived
This will be the culminating activity for the students.  The students will evaluate the three different methods that they investigated (air travel, train travel, and driving) and determine which method is best according to the criteria matrix created in Activity One.  The students will need to create a written itinerary of their trip and show the total costs, time, and distance traveled for their trip.  The students will also have to write an essay explaining their mathematical and logical thinking used to come up with the solution.

Grading Criteria

Rubric -- based on explanation, computations, accuracy, completeness, etc.

Results
Check out my Power Point presentation!  Slides 7 and 8 show the graph and analysis of my results.
 

Web Resources & Supplementary Materials

Activity One - Where Are You Going?
 

Activity Two - The Friendly Skies
Travelocity

Activity Three - All Aboard
Amtrak

Activity Four - Hit the Road
Howard Johnson Hotels
MapQuest

Activity Five - You've Arrived
 
 

Misty Calderon 
Ridgeview School
9177 Twin Schools Rd. 
Granite Bay, CA 95746

mcalderon@eureka-usd.k12.ca.us

Last Revised: 05/12/2001