Grade Levels: 7 and 8
Title: Santa's Travels
Grade Levels: 7 and 8
Subject: Math
Learner Outcomes: The learner will:
Calculate time in different time zones.
Practice converting:
pounds to kilograms.
miles to kilometers.
celsius to fahrenheit.
Use conversion tools available on the Internet.
Duration of Lesson: 1 hour
Materials: Santa's Travels
Worksheet (attached)
Technology Tools/Courseware:
Computer with Internet access
Calculator
Metric Conversion charts
A map of the time zones
Teacher Notes:
A copy of each student's signed Acceptable Use Policy must be on file in school.For a successful experience with this lesson, prior instruction should be given to students in the following areas:
metric conversion
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
calculator useBe sensitive to students who do not observe holidays. An alternative assignment may be necessary.
Procedures:
Introduce this lesson by providing some basic instruction in how to convert to the metric system. An excellent tutorial for conversion can be found at Learn2Convert Metrics.Decide whether this lesson will be conducted individually or in groups. If it is decided that this lesson will be done in groups, arrange heterogeneously to accomodate students of various ability levels.
Provide students with a link to or a copy of a metric conversion chart and a map of time zones.
Consider bookmarking the following links which may be helpful to your students as they complete the Santa's Travels Worksheet:
The Christmas Emporium is a site where students can find the current temperature at the North Pole. (Note: The Santa Letter Writing Program is an additional site that is only operational during the Christmas season. The Weather Channel could be substituted if necessary.)Distribute the attached Santa's Travels Worksheet to students. Allow them to use a calculator or Internet tools to answer the conversion questions.The Currency Converter Internet tool where students can convert American money to the currency in other countries.
Metrics Matter where students can use an Internet conversion tool to check their answers.
Collect and assess the worksheets when students are finished.
Modifications:
If this is a group activity, arrange heterogeneously to accommodate students of various ability levels.Follow the school's policy for inclusion.
Refer to individual IEP's.
Provide an alternate assignment for students whose religious beliefs prevent their doing this lesson.
Enrichment Activities:
Introduce this activity as if it were a contest and award a prize to the individual or group who finishes first with the most correct answers.
Evaluation/Assessment:
Assessment will be based on the number of correct answers provided on the worksheet. Follow the school district's grading policy for mastery.
State and National Standards:
West Virginia IGO's:Math: 8.11, 8.15, 8.44, 8.46, 8.49, 8.54National Standards
7.9, 7.11, 7.41, 7.42, 7.49
References:
ThinkQuest Junior
Internet French Property
Santa Letter Writing Program (This site is only operational during the Christmas season.)
Currency Converter
Learn2Convert Metrics
The Weather Channel
Christmas Emporium
Authors: Cindy Walbrown
and Alma
SimpsonCollins Middle School, Oak Hill, West Virginia
