Planning a trip to Disneyland or Disney World
http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=L363
A lesson plan for grades 3–5 Mathematics
Using web resources, student groups collect data to plan a trip to Disneyland or Disney World. As students tackle this more complex task, teachers have opportunity to observe students’ growing competence with methods and tools for computation, estimation, problem posing and solving, interpretation of graphical representations, measuring with standard units, and responding to investigations that require the comparison of data sets. After locating Disneyland and Disney World on a map, students explore the websites of the two theme parks. Then, in small groups, students estimate the distance, visitation, and cost of the trip and present their information to the class.
Students will:
- Select appropriate methods and tools for computing with whole numbers from among mental computation, estimation, calculators, and paper and pencil.
- Figure elapsed time.
- Record information on a chart.
NCTM Standards and Expectations covered in this lesson include:
- Representing data using tables and graphs such as line plots, bar graphs, and line graphs.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Mathematics (2004)
Grade 3
- Goal 4: Data Analysis and Probability - The learner will understand and use data and simple probability concepts.
- Objective 4.01: Collect, organize, analyze, and display data (including circle graphs and tables) to solve problems.
Grade 4
- Goal 4: Data Analysis and Probability - The learner will understand and use graphs, probability, and data analysis.
- Objective 4.01: Collect, organize, analyze, and display data (including line graphs and bar graphs) to solve problems.
- Objective 4.03: Solve problems by comparing two sets of related data.
Grade 5
- Goal 4: Data Analysis and Probability - The learner will understand and use graphs and data analysis.
- Objective 4.01: Collect, organize, analyze, and display data (including stem-and-leaf plots) to solve problems.
