Poetry of Oppression

Let's Plan a Trip Using Unit Conversion MethodsSubject/Grade Level: Algebra Lesson for 9th and 10th GradesSummary: Students will learn about the history of maps and how maps have evolved through the years. Students will learn how to calculate actual mileage using a map scale, how to convert one unit of measure to another and how to plan and calculate the overall cost of a trip.OverviewUnderstanding Goal: Using primary and secondary sources, students will learn to appreciate the evolution of maps and the opportunity to plan a trip for their family.Objectives : Using prior knowledge on how to convert units of measure such as inches to feet, miles or kilometers, students will learn to estimate the cost of driving a particular distance and how to estimate and budget for the cost of a trip for a family of four.Goals and ObjectivesInvestigative Question: How much money would I need to save to take my family or friends on an exciting road trip to a destination of my choice within the continental United States?Investigative Question

Step 1: Slides one and two of the presentation will contain pictures of old maps from the Library of Congress to demonstrate how far society has come in the calculation of distance between two places. Step 2: Discuss what maps may have been used for in the early centuries. Discuss how maps are used now. Explain to the students that they will be asked to plan a trip for a family of four using an atlas and will calculate the cost of gas, lodging, food and entertainment.Step 3: Provide copies of a Rand McNally map or atlas and a GPS to demonstrate how maps have evolved through the years. Solicit reactions from the students.DirectionsStep 4: Review the conversion of inches to feet to miles to kilometers.Step 5: Review the calculation of the overall cost of gas using miles, miles/gallon for an automobile, and the price of gasoline.Step 6: Discuss what other costs might be involved in traveling from one place to another and calculate cost of lodging, food, and entertainment.Step 7: Discuss how students might use calculations of this nature in business or pleasure.Step 8: Have the students complete a worksheet that will challenge them to convert inches to miles, calculate the cost of gasoline and the cost of food, lodging and entertainment.DirectionsStep 9: Slides three six will show photographs/primary sources from points of interest in the surrounding area that would be suitable to visit on a weekend or overnight trip. Step 10: Students will be divided into groups of four. They will be given a handout encouraging them to plan a weekend trip for their group that will take them at least 50 miles from their school. They will be encouraged to discuss the different places available and come to a consensus on where their journey will take them.DirectionsStep 11: The groups will be required to use maps to estimate the mileage from the school to their destination and then they will calculate the cost of gas, hotel, food and lodging for their trip.Step 12: Each group will then present their ideas and calculations to the class.Step 13: Students will be given an assignment to plan a trip for their family that will include miles/gallon and the average cost of hotel, food, and entertainment per day.

Directions, continuedStep 14: Slides seventwelve will show primary sources/photographs of various attractions throughout the United States. Discuss various options and encourage students to think about places they would like to go and why.Step 15: Students will be encouraged to talk to their family about a desired destination such that their drive will take them through at least two states besides their home state and they will need to plan at least one additional stop for their journey for site-seeing or entertainment.Step 16: Students will be given an opportunity to use computers to research different opportunities as they plan their trip. The completion of the worksheet is the Evaluation component.

Directions, continuedLet's Plan a Trip Using Unit Conversion MethodsStudents will be asked to plan a trip for four to a destination of their choice that touches on at least three states, takes a minimum of seven days and six nights and has at least one side trip. Students will be given an opportunity to research various places on the Internet. They will be required to plan their route using an atlas and estimate the total distance for the trip. They will then be required to calculate the total cost for the trip.Evaluation ComponentLet's Plan a Trip Using Unit Conversion MethodsFor Bonus Points, students will be allowed to research ways to reduce the cost of the trip, i.e. more economical car, camping, preparing most of their own food. They will also be given an hourly wage and a predetermined number of hours per work week and be asked to calculate how long it would take them to save enough money for the trip if they were not spending any of the money in the meantime.ExtensionsMaterials UsedPlan a Trip PowerPointAtlasMapsRulerCalculatorGPS for demo onlyComputersWorksheetGroup AssignmentIndividual AssignmentMaterials and Standards

StandardsCC.9-12.A.SSE.3 Write expressions in equivalent forms to solve problems. Choose and produce an equivalent form of an expression to reveal and explain properties of the quantity represented by the expression.

Time Required: Portions of three 40 minute class periodsPeriod 1 Evolution of maps and unit conversionsPeriod 2 Group collaboration and presentationPeriod 3 Research and preparation of assignment.Standards and Time RequiredLibrary of Congress ItemsMap of the West Coast of Africa from Sierra Leone to Cape Palmas, including the Colony of Liberia. Map. Philadelphia: Finley, 1830. Map Collections 1500-2004. 3 May 2005. American Memory. Lib. of Congress. 1 Aug. 2005 .De Eylanden en Vastelanden van Westindien / bischrytven door Joan Vingboons. Map. Unknown., 1639. Map Collections 1500-2004. 3 May 2005. American Memory. Lib. of Congress. 1 Aug. 2005 .

SourcesLibrary of Congress ItemsHighsmith, Carol M. City Hall, with Arch in background, St. Louis, Missouri. c. 2009. Carol M. Highsmith Archive. Prints and Photographs Online Division. Lib. of Congress. 27 July 2011. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2010630847/.Highsmith, Carol M. Gates, Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee . c. 2008. Carol M. Highsmith Archive. Prints and Photographs Online Division. Lib. of Congress. 27 July 2011. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2010630456/.Detroit Publishing Co. Union Station, Nashville, Tenn. c. 1900. Detroit Publishing Co. Prints and Photographs Online Division. Lib. of Congress. 27 July 2011. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/det1994014653/PP/.Otis Lithograph Co. Indianapolis Motor Speedway, greatest race course in the world. c. 1909. Otis Lithograph Co. Prints and Photographs Online Division. Lib. of Congress. 27 July 2011. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2008675452/.Sources, continuedLibrary of Congress ItemsHighsmith, Carol M. Niagra Falls, New York. c. 2006. Carol M. Highsmith Archive. Prints and Photographs Online Division. Lib. of Congress. 27 July 2011. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2010630806/.Highsmith, Carol M. The United States Capitol building sits atop Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall, Washington, D.C.. c. 2010. Carol M. Highsmith Archive. Prints and Photographs Online Division. Lib. of Congress. 27 July 2011. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2010641918/. Highsmith, Carol M. Swan and Dolphin Hotel, Orlando, Florida . c. 2007. Carol M. Highsmith Archive. Prints and Photographs Online Division. Lib. of Congress. 27 July 2011. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2010630271/ .Sources, continuedLibrary of Congress ItemsDetroit Publishing Co. Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pa. c. 1901. Detroit Publishing Co. Prints and Photographs Online Division. Lib. of Congress. 27 July 2011. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/det1994005082/PP/.Horydczk, Theodor. Grand Canyon. South rim of Grand Canyon with pine tree. c. 1920. Horydcsk Collection. Prints and Photographs Online Division. Lib. of Congress. 27 July 2011. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/thc1995013461/PP/.Highsmith, Carol M. View of Space Needle, Seattle, Washington. c. 2009. Carol M. Highsmith Archive. Prints and Photographs Online Division. Lib. of Congress. 27 July 2011. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2010646305/.Sources, continued