Title:   What's It Gonna Cost?                                                                 U.S. Capitol

Grades:  6,7, and 8th

Subjects:  Mathematics, Language Arts

Learner Outcomes: 1) The student will be able to
                                      understand the finances of this trip to
                                      Washington DC and how the chosen
                                      activities will affect the cost

Time Frame:   Three-four class periods

Materials: Classroom files, poster paper, markers, budget outline form

Technology:  Internet and calculators

Teacher Notes:  Students (and parents) need to understand the costs of this trip.  Students
    working in groups  will devise their own budget, then compare to the actual budget.  The
    student-generated budget should include at least these items:  transportation, meals, activities,
    total cost, and cost per person.

    NOTE:  Experience from past trips (10 + trips) tells us that students are very unaware of
        costs when applied to a group and how far in advance these arrangements must be made.
        As soon as one trip is completed, reservations are made for transportation, motel, and as
        many activities as possible for the next trip.

    Teacher should discuss estimation of costs with students.  Ask class whether it would be better
    to estimate high or low in their budget?  What are ramifications of budgeting high or low?

Procedures:

• Students working in groups will devise a budget for the class trip to Washington DC.
• Factor in these items:  5 days/4 nights, quad occupancy in motel,  18 female and 12 male students, 8 female and 6 male chaperones, and activities
• Students should remember that admissions may vary between students and adults.
• The cost of items may be determined by using Internet or by classroom files
• Each group will turn in a completed budget form
• Each group will record the information on poster paper for posting in classroom
• Student can then compare posted budgets and see if changes need to be made on  their own budget
• Finally, the student budgets will be compared to the actual budget

Enrichment Activities: Plan a dream vacation trip, to anywhere, for their family.

Evaluation/Assessment:  Budget rubric

West Virginia Instructional Goals and Objectives:
     Language Arts
          Study Skills  6.143  8.142  8.144
          Listening  8.8
     Math
          Computation  7.11  8.10
          Computer/Technology  8.49

National Standards

References: Classroom files and useful links and resources

Comments:

Created by:   Deb Cooper
                       Arlene Roberts
                       Ann Wilson
                                                                                                             Mount Vernon
                       Webster Springs Elementary
 
 

Lesson 1

Lesson 2

Lesson 3

Lesson 4

Lesson 5

Lesson 6