Overview
Students will plan an imaginary two- to three-day trip to Cuyahoga Valley National Park. They will determine who is going with them and where they want to go. They will then compute the cost of the trip and chart the trip on a map.
Standards Addressed
Grade 6, Mathematics — Number Sense
05-07 Benchmark
I. Use a variety of strategies, including proportional reasoning, to estimate, compute, solve and explain solutions to problems involving integers, fractions, decimals and percents.
Y2003.CMA.S01.G05-07.BI.L06.I14 / Computation and Estimation
14. Use proportional reasoning, ratios and percents to represent problem situations and determine the reasonableness of solutions.
Grade 7, Mathematics — Number Sense
05-07 Benchmark
I. Use a variety of strategies, including proportional reasoning, to estimate, compute, solve and explain solutions to problems involving integers, fractions, decimals and percents.
Y2003.CMA.S01.G05-07.BI.L07.I09 / Computation and Estimation
09. Represent and solve problem situations that can be modeled by and solved using concepts of absolute value, exponents and square roots (for perfect squares).
Grade 6, Mathematics — Measurement
05-07 Benchmark
C. Identify appropriate tools and apply appropriate techniques for measuring angles, perimeter or circumference and area of triangles, quadrilaterals, circles and composite shapes, and surface area and volume of prisms and cylinders.
Y2003.CMA.S02.G05-07.BC.L06.I03 / Use Measurement Techniques and Tools
03. Estimate perimeter or circumference and area for circles, triangles and quadrilaterals, and surface area and volume for prisms and cylinders by estimating lengths using string or links, areas using tiles or grid, and volumes using cubes.
Grade 7, Mathematics — Measurement
05-07 Benchmark
E. Use problem solving techniques and technology as needed to solve problems involving length, weight, perimeter, area, volume, time and temperature.
Y2003.CMA.S02.G05-07.BE.L07.I04 / Use Measurement Techniques and Tools
04. Solve problems involving proportional relationships and scale factors; e.g., scale models that require unit conversions within the same measurement system.
Grade 8, Mathematics — Measurement
08-10 Benchmark
E. Estimate and compute various attributes, including length, angle measure, area, surface area and volume, to a specified level of precision.
Y2003.CMA.S02.G08-10.BE.L08.I03 / Use Measurement Techniques and Tools
03. Use appropriate levels of precision when calculating with measurements.
Materials
Computer with Internet connection
Calculators
Procedure
Pictures of park visitation are available at www.generationscvnp.org/photos.aspx.
- Distribute the student handout A Trip to the Park and review it with the class. With younger students, you may want to do one section at a time and explain it as they are ready to do each part.
- Depending on your preference, students could work with a partner.
- Things you may need to review:
- The Places to Go Web page, as students need to look up costs of different activities at the park.
- How to find the cost for meals using the Places to Go Web page or fast food restaurants’ Web sites.
- Using proportion to figure out a cost for more than one person.
- Using the scale on a map to determine the actual length of their trip. (These will not be accurate but should be a good estimate of their travel.)
Evaluation
The student handout states that the students must convince their parents that their trip is worthwhile. After they have completed all parts of the worksheet, they should write a paragraph to convince their parents that they made wise choices.
Paragraph Evaluation Rubric
| CATEGORY |
4: Above Standards |
3: Meets Standards |
2: Approaches Standards |
1: Below Standards |
| Evidence and Examples |
All of the evidence and examples are specific and relevant, and explanations are given that show how each site to visit supports the author’s position. |
Most of the evidence and examples are specific and relevant, and explanations are given that show how each site to visit supports the author’s position. |
At least one of the pieces of evidence and examples is relevant and has an explanation that shows how the site to visit supports the author’s position. |
Evidence and examples are not relevant and/or are not explained. |
| Audience |
Demonstrates a clear understanding of the potential reader and uses appropriate vocabulary and arguments. Anticipates reader’s questions and provides thorough answers appropriate for that audience. |
Demonstrates a general understanding of the potential reader and uses vocabulary and arguments appropriate for that audience. |
Demonstrates some understanding of the potential reader and uses arguments appropriate for that audience. |
It is not clear for whom the author is writing. |
| Grammar and Spelling |
Author makes no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. |
Author makes one or two errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. |
Author makes three or four errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. |
Author makes more than four errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. |
| Capitalization and Punctuation |
Author makes no errors in capitalization or punctuation, so the essay is exceptionally easy to read. |
Author makes one or two errors in capitalization or punctuation, but the essay is still easy to read. |
Author makes a few errors in capitalization and/or punctuation that catch the reader’s attention and interrupt the flow. |
Author makes several errors in capitalization and/or punctuation that catch the reader’s attention and interrupt the flow. |