Travel Tactics: Math Meets Adventure

8th Grade

Project
1 week

Travel Tactics: Math Meets Adventure

Khailyn D

CCSS.Math.Content.8.EE.B.5

CCSS.Math.Content.8.F.A.3

CCSS.Math.Content.8.F.B.4

Purpose

This project aims to immerse 8th-grade students in a real-world travel planning scenario, where they apply mathematical concepts of proportional and linear relationships to make informed decisions. Through hands-on activities, students will develop essential skills such as budgeting, graphing, and interpreting data, while also enhancing their socio-emotional abilities like collaboration and problem-solving. By comparing travel options and constructing linear functions, students will learn to effectively manage resources and plan a cost-effective trip, fostering a deeper understanding of math in everyday life.

Learning goals

Students will develop the ability to graph and interpret proportional relationships, using unit rates as the slope, to make informed travel decisions. They will construct and analyze linear functions to model real-world scenarios, such as budgeting for a trip, and understand the impact of changing variables. Through this project, students will enhance their problem-solving and collaboration skills, culminating in a reflective travel journal and a presentation that demonstrates their understanding and application of mathematical concepts.

Standards

CCSS.Math.Content.8.EE.B.5 - Graph proportional relationships, interpreting the unit rate as the slope of the graph. Compare two different proportional relationships represented in different ways.
CCSS.Math.Content.8.F.A.3 - Interpret the equation y = mx + b as defining a linear function, whose graph is a straight line; give examples of functions that are not linear.
CCSS.Math.Content.8.F.B.4 - Construct a function to model a linear relationship between two quantities. Determine the rate of change and initial value of the function from a description of a relationship or from two (x, y) values, including reading these from a table or from a graph. Interpret the rate of change and initial value of a linear function in terms of the situation it models, and in terms of its graph or a table of values.

Products

Students will create a detailed travel itinerary that includes a budget breakdown using linear functions to calculate expenses for transportation, lodging, and meals. They will also design graphs to visually compare different travel options, showcasing proportional relationships and unit rates. As a culminating product, students will present their findings and decision-making process in a presentation, supported by their travel journal reflections on their learning journey and socio-emotional skills developed during the project.

Launch

Kick off the project by simulating a travel agency experience where students form small groups and receive a "client" profile with specific travel needs and budget constraints. Each group will brainstorm initial travel options, considering different modes of transportation and accommodations. They will then sketch out potential travel itineraries, discussing how proportional relationships and linear functions can guide their planning. This immersive activity sets the stage for exploring mathematical concepts in a real-world context, fostering collaboration and critical thinking from the start.

Exhibition

Students will host a "Travel Expo" where they present their travel plans and budget analyses to peers, teachers, and family members. Each group will set up a booth displaying their travel journals, budget graphs, and a visual presentation of their decision-making process. Attendees can engage with students by asking questions about their chosen travel options and the mathematical reasoning behind their choices, fostering a dialogue that highlights their understanding of linear functions and proportional relationships.

Week 1	Day 1
Activities	Travel Launch Simulation - Form groups to simulate a travel agency experience, brainstorm initial travel options using proportional relationships and linear functions (20 min) Client Profile Analysis - Analyze the given client profiles to understand travel needs and budget constraints, and identify potential travel itineraries (20 min) Sketching Travel Itineraries - Begin sketching potential travel itineraries, discussing how proportional relationships can guide planning (20 min)
Deliverables	1. A detailed travel itinerary with a budget breakdown using linear functions. 2. Graphs comparing different travel options to showcase proportional relationships and unit rates. 3. A travel journal entry reflecting on your learning journey, including socio-emotional skills developed. 4. A presentation that demonstrates your understanding and application of mathematical concepts.
Preparation	1. Gather client profiles with specific travel needs for each group. 2. Provide access to internet resources for researching travel options and costs. 3. Prepare graphing tools or software for creating proportional relationship graphs. 4. Ensure materials for constructing budgets and documenting findings in journals are available. 5. Set up a space for the 'Travel Expo' with tables and presentation equipment.