Inquiry+Skill

Both of the lessons in this wiki will use the **Big6**. The Big6 helps students think through what is needed, that not all the information they gathered will be needed. The six steps will help the students develop a framework to the lesson and keep them focused.

According to The Blue Book, the model concentrates on four elements. (p.44)

1. Purpose of the assignment and the existing knowledge. - The purpose is to teach students how to read a map. Their prior knowledge is low and have not learned the technical symbols to read and follow the map. 2. Location of information. - The students will need to search for the provided map symbols. They will also need to research the cities and towns as they map a route to a given destination, creating a trip. 3. Use of information. - After they research the cities/towns that they will travel through on their way to a destination, they will decide where they will want to stop during their trip. They will also figure how much gas and time they will need using given formulas. 4. Self-evaluation and reflection. - At the conclusion of mapping out their trip, the students will write a journal about their trip. The journal will include information about the trip and the sites that they saw while traveling.
 * Reading A Map - 4th Grade**

1. Purpose of the assignment and the existing knowledge. - The students know how to read a map. Now they will learn how to create and a plan a trip to Europe. 2. Location of information. -Students will research Europe to find a destination for the trip. They will also research maps/atlases to develop their own map of the final destination. 3. Use of information. - After they become familiar with their destination they will create a trip package for a travel agency. 4. Self-evaluation and reflection. - At the conclusion of creating a trip package, they will produce a PowerPoint about the trip and a brochure/flyer to help advertise the trip.
 * Plan A Trip To Europe - 6th Grade**

**Keeping a Budget While Planning a Trip-5th Grade (Nichole Sommers)** You can have students open an Excel document and create a budget tracking their expected expenses for a vacation that they are planning. Using the formulas available there can be a beginning amount, list of expenses, sum of expenses, and then what is left over after subtracting that from the beginning amount. I am actually doing this with my 5th grade class. I have "given them" $7,000 and 7 days to go on vacation. They have had to choose their destination, find a mode of transportation to get there, housing for while they are there, and food to survive on. They have gone to Kayak.com and found an price for flights or hotels. They have done searches on restaurants or groceries. I now have them laying out everything in Excel to see where they stand with their finances so they can start planning activities that they want to do while they are on their vacation. I explained what we were doing and walked them through the first bit and from there they have taken off with it and are doing great. I think this is a beneficial lesson for all kids that age to do so they have a realistic view of what it really takes to be on vacation.