Overview and Background: Unit: Overland Trail

Marcia Uhls : Cheney USD 268

Mathematics. : Graphing equations : Interactive Mathematics

Cheney : Grades 10 - 10 : Aug. - Jun.

Title:	Overland Trail
Topics:	Use of equations, tables, and graphs to describe real life situations.
Time Frame:	6 weeks
Start Date:	-
Status:	Draft
Date Revised:

Other Designers:

Summary:
This unit looks at the mid-nineteenth century western migration across what is now the United States in terms of the many mathematical relationships involved. These relationships involve planning what to take on the 2400-mile trek, estimating the cost of the move, studying rates of consumption and of travel, and estimating the time to reach the final goal. A major mathematical focus of the unit is the use of equations, tables, and graphs to describe real-life situations.

Print Materials Needed:
IMP textbook

Resources:
The Donner Party

Resource Attachments:

Internet Resource Links:

Notes:

Stage 1: Identify Desired Results

State:	KS       4
Title:	Mathematics
Standard(s):	Standard 4- Data Statistics- The student generates, organizes, and interprets real number and other data in a variety of situations.

Understandings:
user	Graphing relationships can help make predictions for the future. Statistical analysis and data display often reveal patterns that may not be obvious.

Essential Questions:
User	What good is a graph? What is the trend? Can an equation be developed for any data situation?

Knowledge and Skills:

S
Compile and organize data
Interpret ambiguous data
Make estimates and plan for various situations.
Use tables of information and lines of best fit to make predictions for the future.
Develop meaningful algebraic expressions.

Stage 2: Determine Acceptable Evidence

Assessment Summary:
Students will design a plan for moving a family from Kansas City, MO, to San Francisco, CA., including details about the move to inform the family.

Task/Prompt: The Big Move

Type:Performance Task

Topics: Use of equations, tables, and graphs to describe real life situations.

Summary:
Student will design a plan for moving a family from Kansas City, MO, to San Francisco, CA., including details about the move to inform the family.

Print Materials Needed:

Resources:

Resource Attachments:

Internet Resource Links:
Link 1: http://
Link 2: http://
Link 3: http://
Link 4: http://
Link 5: http://

Notes:

Student Directions:
You are an employee of a moving company. Design a plan for a family to move from Kansas City, MO to San Francisco, California. The distance between the two cities is 1500 miles. Be sure to show your reasoning along the way. The goal is to inform the family about the length of the trip, the cost and other pertinent information. Your plan should be accurate, clear, organized and supported so that the family has all the details.

Other assessment evidence to be collected:

Stage 3: Plan Learning Experiences and Instruction

Learning Activities:

1. Pose problem:
We are traveling along the overland trail, and need to know how many of us live across the trail. What will we take? How much? How does a graph help you to know about a given situation?
2. Post Essential Questions
3. Explore the history behind the overland trail, gather data and use that data to create graphs, tables and rules.
4. Students will order supplies for the different portions of the trip.
5. Adjust supply orders as various things occur to ensure survival. Students should review the Essential Questions to see how data may help with this process.
6. Students will design a plan for moving a family from Kansas City, MO, to San Francisco, CA., including details about the move to inform the family.
7. How many of the class survived? What information would have been helpful in the beginning? How is this like the decisions you make in life, or is it?