Gold Seal Lesson:
Car For Sale

Copernicus Education Gateway

Subject:

Mathematics

Grade:

5-8

ICLE Standards:

Mathematics as Problem Solving: Acquire confidence in using mathematics meaningfully.

Mathematics as Reasoning: Validate student's own thinking.

Mathematics as Communication: Model situations using written and statistical methods.

Computation and Estimation: Compute with whole numbers, fractions, decimals and percent.

Performance Task:

Your task is to select the car of your “dreams” and compute the monthly payment using interest rates from local lending institutions (banks, credit unions, etc.) and/or car dealerships. You can select the car of your dreams by looking through the local newspaper or magazine that shows cars for sale or by visiting a car dealership. Your dream car may be either a new or used vehicle. You are to compute the monthly costs comparing the following down payments and the number of years for repayment of the loan.

• Down Payment: 10, 15 and 20 percent
• Number of Years: 2, 3 and 4 years

Make a chart, table, and/or graph showing your comparative data. In your math journal, write a convincing argument for which type of loan (interest rate and terms of repayment) you would select.

Knowledge / Skills:

Perform operations with signed (positive and negative) numbers, including decimals, ratios, percents, and fractions. (m1)

Understand the best procedures for statistical data collection, organization, and display. (m5)

Understand the concepts recurrence relations and how they are applicable to such things as compound interest and annuity. (m61)

Use writing as a tool for learning in formats such as learning logs, laboratory reports, note-taking, and journals. (ela40)

Rubric:

4 Points = The student is able to independently complete the task. He/she researches the necessary information. The student demonstrates a full understanding of buying on credit. His/her calculations are accurate, and the visual representations are organized neatly and presented meaningfully. The student’s decision is justified in a convincing argument and his/her writing is of high quality.

3 Points = The student needs some assistance to complete the task. He/she has some difficulty locating the information needed to make a comparison of costs. The student shows some lack of understanding of the concepts and skills needed to complete the task. Despite minor computational errors and flaws in the statistical display, the student is able to make a reasonable argument based on the information collected. The written argument, however, is wordy and not clearly stated.

2 Points = Even with significant help from others, the student’s response to the task is incomplete. He/she shows a lack of understanding of basic concepts and skills needed to complete the task. Several errors occur in computation, and the visual presentation is poorly constructed. Limited understanding of the task is obvious and the concluding argument is weak.

1 Point = The student demonstrates a total lack of understanding of the task and does not complete it. He/she demonstrates no understanding of the basic skills and concepts needed to complete the task. The visual representation is missing or extremely inaccurate. No meaningful information is provided by the student to make any kind of argument.

Keywords:

ALGEBRA
LINEAR SYSTEMS 
CHARTS
GRAPHS
TABLES
COMPUTATION

CALCULUS
JOURNAL

Grades:

Kg [] - 1 [] - 2 [] - 3 [] - 4 [] - 5 [x] - 6 [x] - 7 [x] - 8 [x] - 9 [] - 10 [] - 11 [] - 12 []

ICLE Application:

D

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