Recent Changes

Groups should present their PowerPoint and brochure/flyer with their classmates.
Addition by Jake Moore:
the kids (6th-7th graders)really(5th graders) really ate up took 1, half hourforty five minute lesson for
Materials were pretty simple.
old fashioned rand McNally road atlases (last checked, these were around $7.00 at Wal-Mart, which could get expensive if you had larger classes), some construction paper, markers, glue, and maybe some travel brochures you could pick up at a truck stop, or e-mail/call different roadside attractions and ask them to mail you some.
I apologize for the second posting in the discussion tab, I posted this in the wrong spot; please disregard my discussion posting up here.

Day 9
Groups should present their PowerPoint and brochure/flyer with their classmates.
Addition by Jake Moore:
One aspect of travel I've always loved is the Interstate system in the U.S. The history of the interstates, and the brilliant way it shrunk our fair country. Have students learn how to use the interstates (the numbering systems for North-South, East-West routes, the inclusion of the spur routes and beltways, etc...) and then to plan a trip to somewhere far away. Say the student had a grandparent that lived in Miami, FL. Give them tools to figure out how to get there if their family were to plan a trip. I did a variation of this while I was doing a summer program in Ft. Wayne, and the kids (6th-7th graders)really ate up the idea of real world planning, and some of them took the ideas home and helped their parents plan their next vacation. All in all it took 1, half hour lesson for the background and rules of the interstates, as well as review, then another 3 days to plan their routes and plan random stops in the middle. Then they created a map showing their route and places they'd like to stop along the way for fun.
Materials were pretty simple.
old fashioned rand McNally road atlases (last checked, these were around $7.00 at Wal-Mart, which could get expensive if you had larger classes), some construction paper, markers, glue, and maybe some travel brochures you could pick up at a truck stop, or e-mail/call different roadside attractions and ask them to mail you some.

Ideas for expansion
One aspect of travel I've always loved is the Interstate system in the U.S. The history of the interstates, and the brilliant way it shrunk our fair country. Have students learn how to use the interstates (the numbering systems for North-South, East-West routes, the inclusion of the spur routes and beltways, etc...) and then to plan a trip to somewhere far away. Say the student had a grandparent that lived in Miami, FL. Give them tools to figure out how to get there if their family were to plan a trip. I did a variation of this while I was doing a summer program in Ft. Wayne, and the kids (6th-7th graders)really ate up the idea of real world planning, and some of them took the ideas home and helped their parents plan their next vacation. All in all it took 1, half hour lesson for the background and rules of the interstates, as well as review, then another 3 days to plan their routes and plan random stops in the middle. Then they created a map showing their route and places they'd like to stop along the way for fun.
Materials were pretty simple.
old fashioned rand McNally road atlases (last checked, these were around $7.00 at Wal-Mart, which could get expensive if you had larger classes), some construction paper, markers, glue, and maybe some travel brochures you could pick up at a truck stop, or e-mail/call different roadside attractions and ask them to mail you some.

Reading​Reading A Map
In this activity, students will learn how to read maps. They will begin by learning to identify symbols on a map by completing a worksheet. They will then discuss and share what they have learned. Once the students are familiar and comfortable with an Indiana state map, they will plan a one-tank-trip for their family. One of the requirements for the trip is they stop and see the sites in Indiana. They will research and organize cities, towns and sites along their route and plan a trip accordingly. Once the lesson has been completed, each student will write a journal. Using their creative writing skills, they will describe in detail their one-tank-trip and share it with their classmates.
Plan A Trip To Europe - 6th Grade
In this activity, students will create and design a trip to Europe. They will begin by talking to a travel agent who has experience planning trips to Europe. They will then begin researching cities in Europe and sites to see while there. Once they have gathered the needed information to plan the trip they will produce a PowerPoint and a brochure/flyer of the trip.
Addition by Zachery Wheeler
Plot out Your Last Vacation – 5th Grade
In this assignment, students will be asked to remember the last vacation they went on. Where did they go? What did they see and do? How long did it take? How did they get there? Have the students use a map to plot out where they went and what they saw, as well as details about how they traveled and how long they stayed. To embellish the project, have the students bring in any pictures they have (with parents’ permission, of course) of their vacation, and point out where the picture was taken (for example, Disneyworld, the Statue of Liberty, or Branson, MI).

feedback
Hello - I like what you are doing a lot an think students will too.
My suggestions are to use more technology for these lessons.
For the 4th grade, wouldn't it be great to use Mapquest or Mapquest International to determine mileage and see real maps? http://www.mapquest.com/
I am not sure the students will actually use a ruler any more in real life to determine mileage, when Mapquest does such a good job. You can use Mapquest for any state and even other countries http://www.mapquest.com/features/international

6th grade- How about having them visit websites for European destinations and sites like Lonely Planet to see and learn? Wouldn't a website be better than looking at brochures? Brochures only include what the creator (travel agent) wants you to see - seems more authentic for students to find the important things to see at their destination by exploring websites.
These are my two favorite travel websites for Europe:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/europe
http://www.ricksteves.com/
The Rick Steve site has audio files, videos and much more students can view to learn about Europe,

Virtual trip & Maps
Roberta~
Thank you for the positive feedback. I looked at the the websites and they would be a great addition, thanks!!!

Love your project
I think this is a great project for kids to work on. Planning a trip can span over every subject and grade level. You can cover so many skills and it is a real world application. Some day they will remember doing this while they are planning a trip of their own. There are so many online resources teachers could use to help with a unit like this.

kayak.com
www.aaa.com
http://www.fedstats.gov/kids/mapstats/
http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/explore/maps.htm
http://kids-money.suite101.com/

I know my students have enjoyed these resources so I am sure others would too.

Great job!
Nichole

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.
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.