Million+Dollar+Project

 // Step One //: Identify the Problem or Question and Ask More Questions  // Step Two //: Getting Teams Organized  // Step Three //: Gathering Information  // Step Four //: Sorting and Analyzing Information  // Step Five //: Creating the Answer or Solving the Problem  // Step Six //: Evaluation // Often times an investigation is spawned by a problem that is presented or a question that develops. Having a thorough plan and the needed tools to investigate and solve the problem is a life long skill. Using the strategy of math investigations, students will develop problem-solving strategies, higher-order thinking skills, and mathematical reasoning as they apply mathematical tools such as spreadsheets, charts and graphs to the investigation process. // · Students need to understand research skills. · Students need to be able to collect information. · Students need to be aware of social issues. · Students need math fact knowledge. [] (List of Social Issues) [] (National Science Digital Library) Students will choose a major theme for their project (i.e. creating a neighborhood garden; no-kill animal shelter; adopting a baby from China; etc.) Once the theme is selected, the students will brainstorm major categories related to the theme (i.e. transportation, food for animals, garden tools, etc.). In their groups, the students will list the itemized purchases related to the major category. They will provide the unit price for each item as well as the total price based on the number of individual items purchased. The students are given $1,000,000 to spend on their project. Their challenge is to spend as close to $1,000,000 without exceeding this amount. Students will present their information using Microsoft Excel to show theme, categories, and purchases related to this theme. At least 2 graphs must be created from the information gathered on the spreadsheets. <span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The students will also prepare a Power Point presentation of their project to share with their classmates. (Insert Excel data/graphs into your presentation). · <span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Microsoft Excel · <span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Microsoft Power Point · <span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Internet Access · <span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Accuracy of Expenditures and Approximation of Expenses to $1,000,000 · <span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Presentation of Ideas <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">1. <span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How and why did I decide on this particular theme for my project? <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2. <span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How did I decide what categories and items were needed for my project? <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">3. <span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How close did I get to a million dollars the first time? How many times did I have to add or subtract items to reach my million dollar mark? <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">4. <span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What would I do differently next time? <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">5. <span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What advice would you give to others who were given a million dollars to spend on something? Why? <span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * __<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Million Dollar Project __ **
 * <span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Math Investigations-Lesson Planner **
 * <span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Subject Area: **<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Math, Social Studies-Civics
 * <span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Grade Range: **<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Fifth-Eighth
 * <span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Purpose: **<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The concept of one million becomes real for students through categorizing information, addition/subtraction skills, practiced graphing, estimation, and social awareness.
 * <span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Description: **<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The student will spend $1,000,000 on a socially beneficial project (i.e. creating a neighborhood garden).
 * <span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prerequisite Skills:  **
 * <span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Web Resources: (Just to get you started on your search…) **
 * <span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Activities/Tasks: **
 * <span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tools and Resources Necessary: **
 * <span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Evaluation/Assessment: **
 * <span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Student Reflections: **