6th Grade  Project 5 weeks

Fiesta Finance: Party Planning Pros!

Marcela H
Updated
CCSS.Math.Practice.MP2
CCSS.Math.Practice.MP5
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Content Expertise
Effective Communication
+ 3 more
1-pager

Purpose

This project aims to immerse sixth-grade students in a dynamic, real-world scenario of party planning, integrating essential mathematical skills with a focus on sustainability. Through hands-on activities, collaboration with community experts, and interactive presentations, students will develop critical thinking and effective communication skills. The project encourages students to consider innovative approaches to event planning while building a sense of community and responsibility, fostering both academic and personal growth.

Learning goals

Students will master the art of dividing fractions and managing multi-digit decimal operations while understanding number theory principles. They will apply these skills to create and present a budget, demonstrating strategic resource allocation and environmental considerations. Through collaboration with peers and real-world event planners, students will enhance their critical thinking, communication, and self-directed learning. The project also aims to bolster students' academic mindset by fostering a sense of belonging and self-efficacy as they engage in reflective practice.
Standards
  • [Common Core] CCSS.Math.Practice.MP2 - Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
  • [Common Core] CCSS.Math.Practice.MP5 - Use appropriate tools strategically.
Competencies
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.
  • Content Expertise - Students develop key competencies, skills, and dispositions with ample opportunities to apply knowledge and engage in work that matters to them.
  • Effective Communication - Students practice listening to understand, communicating with empathy, and share their learning through exhibiting, presenting and reflecting on their work.
  • Collaboration - Students co-design projects with peers, exercise shared-decision making, strengthen relational agency, resolve conflict, and assume leadership roles.
  • Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
  • Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.

Products

Students will collaboratively create a comprehensive, detailed budget for a party, showcasing their understanding of arithmetic operations. Throughout the project, students will draft and refine their budgeting ideas using a digital portfolio, allowing for continuous feedback and revision. By the end, they will present their final budget proposal at an exhibition in interactive, themed stations, demonstrating calculations and sustainability considerations to peers, parents, and community members.

Launch

To kick off the project on party planning, we will host a 'Math Carnival' where students engage in fun, interactive problem-solving games at various stations. These games will involve tasks such as calculating required quantities, creating budget scenarios, and making environmentally friendly choices for event items, with a focus on using fractions, decimals, and whole numbers. Students will apply their initial skills in an exciting context, setting the stage for deeper exploration throughout the project duration. This event will spark curiosity and enthusiasm as students begin their journey into budget-conscious and sustainable event planning.

Exhibition

Students will organize a dynamic 'Fiesta Festivity Fair' to showcase their budget planning projects. The event will feature interactive stations where students present their calculations and budgeting ideas through hands-on demonstrations and peer discussions. Additionally, a 'Party Planner Expo' will be held, with students setting up booths to display their project outcomes, engaging with attendees through live demonstrations and Q&A sessions about their budgeting strategies and sustainability choices. These exhibitions foster community involvement and allow students to confidently communicate their learning progress.