"South America on a Shoe String"
Created by Kari Ryckebosch
CSULB

ID #: 446

Subject Area: Other
Grade Level: 9

Lesson Summary
In partners, students will research travel options to Argentina and Chile. They must find the least expensive trip to either country from Los Angeles departing on July first and returning July seventh. In their search, students must account for airfare, lodging, three activities, and currency exchange. Their work will be done on a spreadsheet listing their findings as well as a comparison of the amount spent per day in each country. Students will present their findings to the class and determine the best deal for "South America on a Shoe String."
This lesson integrates cultural geography, math computation and comparison, and
computer technology (internet search and spreadsheet manipulation).

Learning Objectives and Computer Functions
This lesson plan uses 0 objectives.

Problem
Problem Nature
This lesson incorporates real-world information about travel in Chile and Argentina and teaches students how to plan an economical trip.

Notes on Using Data
Data entry work can be divided equally among group members. Students should take turns spending equal amounts of time in front of the computer while the other two members assist. Each student should find information about flights and lodging, and then compare costs with other members. Also, each student should be responsible for investigating one educational, cultural, or entertaining activity. Students should work collaboratively on mathematical computations.
Data should be saved on each students' individual disk. Students must use the spreadsheet format provided on the computer program.

Problem Statement
Summer is on its way and you want to discover South America. Your job has given you time off so that you can leave from Los Angeles July 1st and return July 7th. Since you've never been to Argentina or Chile and have very little money, you want to find the least expensive trip to both of these countries. After using the internet to find airfare, lodging, and three activities in each country, you will use a spreadsheet to determine the cheapest adventure. Your group will present findings to the class with enhanced cultural information found in library books.

Data Manipulation
Instructions
The learner used computers at level

Integration Strategies
advanced

Organization Strategies
Students must group information according to country. Under each country students must group information according to flight, lodging, and three activities.

Elaboration Strategies
When students present their findings, they must elaborate on the activities and how they pertain to education, entertainment, or culture. Students will also enhance their presentations with country information found in library books.

Results Presentation
If this option is chosen, students will create a visually appealing travel brochure for each country detailing flight, lodging, and activity information as well as the cost for each. Information found in the book search such as cultural information and illustrations or clipart should be used to enhance the brochure. The spreadsheet detailing mathematical computation must accompany the travel brochure. The last page of the brochure should present all websites used during the project and book bibliographies.

If this option is chosen, students will create a visually appealing poster for each country detailing flight, lodging, and activity information as well as the cost for each. Information found in the book search such as cultural information and illustratio

If this option is chosen, students will create a visually appealing web page for each country detailing flight, lodging, and activity information as well as the cost for each. They should include links to any useful websites. Information found in the book

Each group will thoroughly present their findings with the chosen visual. The presentation should be divided equally amongst group members.

Activities
Activities Before Using the Computer
Students will determine which search engines can be used to find flight, lodging, and activity information. They will also decide how much time each member will spend in front of the computer while the other two assist. Students will also brainstorm where they may want to go in each country. Finally, students will brainstorm how a trip can be made economical.