Pack+Your+Bags

Introduction:“Studying abroad can positively and unequivocally influence the career path, world-view, and self-confidence of students,” claims Mary Dwyer, Ph.D. and Courtney Peters, authors of the article, “The Benefits of Study Abroad”. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be immersed in the country you study in your foreign language class? Well then, pack your bags and get ready to exchange your American money for some foreign currency!

The Task:
As part of the World Language program, many schools afford students the opportunity to advance their studies and travel abroad. In efforts to get this kind of program at our school, the principal is looking for student proposals on where to travel. In order for your trip to be considered, you must research a foreign country and devise an economical eight-day travel plan that takes into account: transportation, housing, food, and activities for thirty students. The proposal must also be converted from U.S. dollars to the currency of the chosen country.

The Process:
Over the course of this unit, you will use the activity list below to guide your learning. In addition to your weekly math journal, you will schedule the rest of the period each day, choosing from the options listed below. By the end of the unit, you need to have completed the required activities and any optional activities to facilitate your learning. The order in which you complete them is up to you.

Required Activities:

 * 1) **Create a Note and Material Organizer** for this unit for note-taking, research, and practice.
 * 2) This could be a wiki page attached to your math wiki.
 * 3) You may use a word document that can be uploaded later
 * 4)  [|__http://www.stixy.com/__] - SIXTY - //Stixy// makes it easy to collaborate online! Create tasks, appointments, files, photos, notes, and bookmarks on your //Stixyboards//.
 * 5) **Take notes** for each skill using your organizer.
 * 6) Complete your personalized **Anchoring Packet** throughout the course of the unit to strengthen skills and advance learning.
 * 7) **Answer an open-ended question ** on proportions,supporting your solution with charts, pictures, or words.
 * 8) **“To Eat or Not to Eat”- ** With a small group, spend time calculating the cost of meals while traveling.
 * 9) **Pack Your Bags Research **- Use the internet to pick a country destination and costs for traveling there.
 * 10) **Create a Spreadsheet ** that shows calculations for trip expenses and the exchange rates.
 * 11) **Devise a proposal **<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"> that presents all your information using a multi-media format.

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Optional Activities:

 * 1) **<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Complete 2-3 **<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"> **Currency Exchange Task Cards.**
 * 2) **<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Use the Rate of Change worksheet **<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"> to solve real-world travel problems.
 * 3) **<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Play the “Is it a Proportion?” game **<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"> with a partner for practice writing and identifying proportions.