This lesson has two purposes. The first and apparent purpose is to have students set up a budget, with the intention that they will practice using percents. The second objective is a hidden one; namely to make students aware of the cost of their dreams, and the education needed to achieve them.
Standard 5: Technology Research Tools
Students will utilize technology-based research tools to locate and collect information pertinent to the task as well as evaluate and analyze information from a variety of sources
5T-F1 Recognize electronic information sources.
PO2 Locate information in a resource selected by the teacher (e.g., Web page, CD-ROM)
5T-E1 Locate information from electronic resources.
PO1 Identify electronic research resources.
5T-E2 Evaluate the accuracy, relevance, appropriateness, comprehensiveness and bias of electronic information sources.
PO2 Gather research from a variety of electronic sources and identify the most appropriate information for answering the research question.
Gather research from a variety of electronic sources and identify the most appropriate information for answering the research question.
Students will use the Internet to set up a budget. They will find a house and a car, and set up a budget of expenses. Then they will find a career that will match their income needs.
Students will expand their knowledge of percents by applying the use of percents to a real world situation.
Students will locate web pages selected by the teacher. They will employ links from that page to do web based research, and determine which source has the best information for their needs.
Use basic vocabulary related to technology.
Demonstrate respect for other students while using technology.
Practice appropriate behaviors.
Access and evaluate information sources.
Computer
Projector
Computer Lab
Introduce the Web Quest in the classroom, then assign the students partners and go to the computer lab to work on the Web Quest.
Product
Based on student readiness (MAP scores)
Introduce the Web Quest in class: http://www.sbzinak.com/webquest/
Review Technology skills and behaviors.
Divide students into pairs based on their MAP test scores. Students will be grouped according to their RIT range for the Number Sense & Operations strand of the standards.
All pairs will be responsible for handing in the worksheet that they print from the Web Quest. The worksheet has 5 sections. The product will be differentiated by which sections of the worksheet need to be completed.
Group 1 (Rit range 231 - 240) This group will complete Part A: Finding a House, and Part B: Finding a Car.
Group 2 (Rit range 241 - 250) This group will complete Part A: Finding a House, Part B: Finding a Car, and Part C: Finding a Career.
Group 3 (Rit range 251 - 260) This group will complete Part A: Finding a House, Part B: Finding a Car, Part C: Finding a Career, Part D: Calculating your budget, and Part E: Revision Analysis.
Students will hand in their completed worksheets from the Web Quest. They need to have listed the web pages they used, and their calculations for mortgage payments and car payments. Group 2 and 3 will also need to list the web pages where they found their career information, and Group 3 will need to have completed the calculations for their Budget. Their web pages and calculations will be checked for accuracy. They need to have at least 75% accuracy, or they will need to redo the assignment.