Lesson Plan

Budgeting for a Trip

By  Cate Sanazaro

Overview

Students will use the provided information to plan and calculate a round-trip vacation.

Objective

Students will: 

  1. Develop a budget for a trip, while working within defined parameters.
  2. Estimate distances and costs.
  3. Substantiate appropriate methods of calculations.

Materials

  1. Project Outline Sheet (PDF)
  2. Calculating Vacation Costs (PDF)
  3. Atlases
  4. Calculators

Set Up and Prepare

  1. Make copies of the Project Outline Sheets (PDF) and Calculating Vacation Costs (PDF) for the class
  2. Prepare a list of 6 resort locations ranging in distance from approximately 700 to 2000 miles one way from your location
  3. Provide students with the mileage one way to these 6 destinations
  4. Gather atlases, road maps, and any other useful travel resources for class use
  5. Copy the Calculating Vacation Costs (PDF) to a transparency for overhead display (optional)

Directions

Step 1: Distribute to the students:
Project Outline Sheets (PDF)
Calculating Vacation Costs (PDF)

Step 2: Review the project information with the class. Model a completion of Calculating Vacation Costs worksheet. It may be helpful to copy a sheet onto an overhead transparency.

Step 3: Allow two class periods to complete the performance event.

Step 4: Students submit the Calculating Vacation Costs Worksheet for a grade.

Supporting All Learners

1. Students who struggle with the math concepts in this lesson may work with a partner
2. ESL students may complete work in their first language

Lesson Extensions

Alternate trips can be calculated by giving the students other guidelines to follow. Example: With $500 gas money, plan a round-trip from your hometown to as many National Parks, State Parks, and State Capitals as possible. Atlases, maps, state brochures, etc. will be needed.

Home Connection

Students are encouraged to take this project home and request a parent to check their calculations.

Assignments

  • Following instructions and using the resources and information provided, students complete a budget for a vacation
  • Hand in the Calculating Vacation Worksheet for a grade

Evaluation

Does the quality of the work show understanding and enthusiasm for the project? Can you think of any other information that would assist the student? Does the rubric fairly assess the project?

Assess Students

Use the Rubric Maker to create your own. Sample Rubric for Scoring the Calculating Vacation Worksheet40 points — Outstanding30 points — Proficient

  • Shows an appropriate method that supports the calculation of the costs of a fully developed vacation. Clearly shows that they stayed within the budget.

20 points — Emergent

  • Part of the task is accomplished, but neither the total cost nor the method for calculation will accomplish the whole task

10 points — Attempted

  • It is evident that the student engaged in the task, but the task was misconceived. 

0 points — Off task or no attempt.

  • Subjects:
    Cooperation and Teamwork, Charts and Graphs, Data Analysis, Money, Real-World Math, Class Projects, Travel and Vacations, Teacher Tips and Strategies
  • Skills:
    Charts and Graphs, Maps, Research Skills
  • Duration:
    2 Class Periods
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