Gold Seal Lesson:
The Ski's The Limit

Copernicus Education Gateway

Subject:

Mathematics

Grade:

5-8

ICLE Standards:

Mathematics as Problem Solving: Apply the process of mathematical modeling to real-world problem situations.

Algebra: Represent situations that involve variable quantities with expressions and inequalities.

Performance Task:

A group of students is planning a ski trip. The round-trip air fare will cost $380. The hotel that they have chosen will cost $70 per day per person. This includes a Continental breakfast, a full dinner and transportation to the ski resort. Rates are based upon four students per room. Each student must allow $400 for out-of-pocket expenses for lift tickets, lunches, etc. They have agreed to limit their total expenses to $1,200 per person. What is the maximum number of nights for which they can plan their trip?

Knowledge / Skills:

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

Understand the use of variables in expressions such as 4x, x+2, and 2x-1, solve for the variable, and know how to represent expressions such as "twice the number" or "four more than the number" using variables. (m7) 

Rubric:

The student independently solves the problem. He/she shows analysis skills in problem solving, is able to set up a correct inequality using all the given constraints, can solve the inequality, and can state the correct answer to the problem.

The student needs assistance in solving the problem. He/she indicates some weakness in analyzing the problem and has difficulty modeling the problem. Although he/she solves the problem, he/she fails to state the correct answer as an integral number of nights. 

The student has much difficulty in solving the problem. He/she indicates a major lack of problem solving analysis. The student has great difficulty finding a strategy to use to solve the problem. His/ her answer is not stated as an integral number of nights.

The student is unable to solve the problem. He/she lacks the ability to analyze the problem situation and cannot identify any strategy that will lead to a solution.

Keywords:

ALGEBRA
ALGEBRAIC OPERATIONS
EXPRESSIONS
INEQUALITIES 
PROBLEM SOLVING
COMPUTATION

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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