Vacation Guide for Young Travelers

Curricular Unit

Submitted by Donna Johnson

A Curricular Unit designed for third and fourth grade students.

Unit will incorporate studies in geography, writing, math and art.

Resources: Computers with Internet access, Word, Excel and math calculation software.

Topics:

Areas of interest for vacations

*Where are they located on the map

*How far away is it

*Modes of travel to get to destinations

Expense *Cost for admission

*Cost for travel

*Estimated cost for food

Accommodations *What choices for overnight stay What should the travel guide look like? *How many pages

*How many choices of destinations

*How to set up information

Objectives:

Students will design a reference guide featuring travel destinations that are of interest to children.

Timeline:

Three days a week, 45 minutes will be set designated as project time. Much of the discussion will be done as a class. The actual compilation will be done in groups.

Integration of other academic studies:

(Geography) Part of the discussion regarding travel spots will include finding it on the map. The travel time and mileage will also be part of the lesson when appropriate.

(Math) Calculating mileage and cost for gas will be part of a math lesson. Also determining the cost for admissions and food will be included in the lesson. This might also be included in the guide.

Software will be utilized to make the calculations fun.

(Art) Design of the cover and layout of the guide will integrate art skills and software programs. Word Art will be useful as well as Adobe PageMaker for layout.

(Writing) Word may also be used for documenting experiences to travel sites.

Any opportunities for the class to participate as a whole is the preferred method of gathering information. The actual formatting of the guide will allow students to work in areas of particular interest to them. Groups will b e formed to work exclusively in each area.

Lesson #1

Class shares in discussion of places they have visited and why it was enjoyable. A class recorded will be assigned to list the locations and why it was fun.

Lesson #2

Locate destinations discussed in Lesson #1 and find them on the map. Discuss travel time and mileage. Internet software may be used for mileage information.

Lesson #3

Discussion regarding how the class wants the guide to look: what size it should be, the title, the sequence of information, acknowledgements and any other details that come up in discussion such as the actual printing and assembly of the guidebook. This may take several project periods. Internet is discussed for sites to be included in guide but not yet visited by member of the class.

Lesson #4

The areas for group work are reviewed and an overview of what’s involved with each section is provided. Students will then choose which part they want to work on as groups. Excell will be discussed for creating a database of destinations with detai ls regarding mileage, admission cost and location.

Lesson#5

When details are gathered regarding expenses, a math class will be devoted to calculating the expenses associated with each destination. Software will be use with available. This information will be recorded by a member of the class and given to th e group working on formatting the guidebook.

Lesson #6

A class meeting to discuss the progress and discuss any decisions that need to be made as a group. A target date for completion will be discussed at this point.

Remaining lessons to include whatever is necessary to complete travel guide book.

Assessment: A written report from each student describing the experience and what they learned in the course of the project. Detailed information related to the group activity they were associated with and suggestions to improve the activity.

Listed below are sites for researching destinations or use in guidebook as vacation sites.

Farm On A River: Children's Camp, Family Vacations, Seasonal Weekends, Environmental Education,

Farm Food Catalog

Adventures In Fishing

C e l e b r i t y C r u i s e s

Sandcastle Guesthouse on Scenic Orcas Island

Welcome To Kids Go Too - The Colorado Family Vacation Experts

Camp Oakhurst

Lycos Guide: Travel Destinations Exploring the U.S.A. Massachusetts

Bigfoot Resorts

Walt Disney World Online Vacation Guide

Welcome To Kids Go Too - The Colorado Family Vacation Experts