Ratio Road Trip: Journey Planning with Map Ratios

Created byMatthew Karabinos

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Ratio Road Trip: Journey Planning with Map Ratios

Grade 6Math4 days

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4.0 (1 rating)

In the 'Ratio Road Trip' project, 6th-grade students are tasked with planning a complete road trip using the concept of ratios to calculate distances and fuel consumption. The project aligns with Common Core Standards and Next Generation Science Standards, helping students understand and apply ratios in real-life scenarios. Through various activities, including map exploration and fuel consumption estimation, students learn to differentiate between ratios and fractions, and appreciate their significance in practical decision-making. The project culminates in creating a comprehensive road trip plan, considering factors like budget, distance, and fuel efficiency.

RatiosRoad TripDistance CalculationFuel ConsumptionMap ExplorationPractical Application

Want to create your own PBL Recipe?Use our AI-powered tools to design engaging project-based learning experiences for your students.

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we effectively use ratios to plan a complete road trip, detailing the routes, calculating distances and fuel consumption, while understanding their practical significance?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

What is a ratio and how is it different from a fraction?
How can ratios be used to compare two quantities?
Why are ratios important in real-life situations, like planning a road trip?
How do you calculate distances on a map using map ratios?
What strategies can be used to estimate and calculate fuel consumption for a given distance?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Students will be able to understand and explain what a ratio is, and how it differs from a fraction.
Students will learn to use ratios to compare two quantities in the context of a road trip plan.
Students will develop the ability to calculate distances using map ratios.
Students will gain skills to estimate and calculate fuel consumption for a given distance using ratios.
Students will appreciate the significance of ratios in planning and decision-making in real-life scenarios.

Common Core Standards

CC.2.1.6.D.1

Primary

Understand ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning to solve problems.Reason: The project focuses on using map ratios for distance and fuel calculations, directly applying ratio concepts and reasoning to solve practical problems.

CC.2.1.6.D.2

Secondary

Understand the concept of a unit rate a/b associated with a ratio a:b with b ≠ 0, and use rate language in the context of a ratio relationship.Reason: Students will need to understand unit rates to accurately plan fuel consumption based on distance, which is essential for planning a road trip.

Next Generation Science Standards

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

Supporting

Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.Reason: The project involves planning and designing a road trip which requires defining the criteria and constraints such as budget, distance, and fuel efficiency.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Celebrity Trip Planning

Students receive a letter from a 'celebrity' asking them to plan an efficient road trip using map ratios for an eco-friendly vacation. By connecting to pop culture and environmental concerns, this generates enthusiasm and a sense of relevance.

Mystery Destination Challenge

Start with a sealed envelope containing a surprise destination. Students must use given map ratios to unlock clues and solve puzzles that reveal the location. This taps into their natural curiosity and love for mystery while connecting to mathematical reasoning with ratios.

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Fuel Factor: Estimating Consumption

Students will apply their understanding of ratios to estimate fuel consumption for a road trip. By utilizing the ratio of miles per gallon, students will calculate how much fuel is needed for various distances. This gives them practical experience in ratio reasoning and allows them to connect math concepts to real-world applications.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Introduce students to the concept of miles per gallon (mpg) as a unit rate and how it relates to ratios.

2. Provide car models with different mpg rates; students will select which model they plan to use for the road trip.

3. Using their previously calculated distances from the map, students will estimate the fuel needed for each leg of the trip based on the selected car’s mpg.

4. Discuss how different factors like terrain and speed might affect fuel consumption and how to account for these in calculations.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA fuel estimation report detailing fuel consumption for each road trip route leg using chosen car mpg rates.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CC.2.1.6.D.2 (Understand the concept of a unit rate).

Activity 2

Map Maestro: Designing the Trip

In this culminating activity, students will design a full road trip itinerary using all of their previously acquired skills. They will incorporate distance calculations, fuel estimations, and factor in criteria such as budget and time constraints to develop a comprehensive road trip plan.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Students will create a complete road trip itinerary including start and end points, stops, and activities planned along the way.

2. Using map scales and ratio calculations, students will chart the journey and provide real distances between each planned stop.

3. Incorporate fuel calculations, determining the total fuel cost based on selected vehicle mpg.

4. Students will consider and describe additional constraints, such as budget limitations, travel time, and eco-friendliness.

5. Students present their planned trip, highlighting the practical use of ratios to solve real-life problems.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive road trip plan including itinerary, distance maps, fuel calculations, and discussions on constraints.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports NGSS.MS-ETS1-1 (Define criteria and constraints of a design problem).

Activity 3

Ratio Detective: Map Exploration

In this activity, students will learn the foundational concepts of ratios by exploring maps. They will identify different ratios on a map, such as the scale ratio, and how these represent real-world distances. This activity sets the stage for understanding how ratios differ from fractions and gives them the skills needed for road trip planning.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Provide students with a variety of maps that include scales (e.g., 1 inch = 50 miles).

2. Discuss the concept of a scale as a ratio, explaining that it represents a relationship between two quantities: map and real-world distances.

3. Guide students to identify and write down the scale ratios on their maps.

4. Have students choose different locations on the map and calculate the real-world distances using the map's scale ratio.

5. Facilitate a discussion about how ratios differ from fractions, with examples from the map exploration.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA portfolio of maps with identified scale ratios and calculated real-world distances.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CC.2.1.6.D.1 (Understand ratio concepts).

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Ratio Road Trip Project Rubric

Category 1

Understanding Ratios

Assessment of student understanding of ratios and their ability to differentiate ratios from fractions.

Criterion 1

Ratio Concepts

Measures students' understanding of what a ratio is and how it is different from a fraction.

Exemplary

4 Points

Consistently and accurately explains ratio concepts, illustrating understanding with real-world examples and clear distinctions from fractions.

Proficient

3 Points

Accurately explains ratio concepts, with clear distinctions from fractions, using appropriate examples.

Developing

2 Points

Shows basic understanding of ratio concepts, with occasional distinctions from fractions; examples may be limited or unclear.

Beginning

1 Points

Shows limited understanding of ratio concepts; struggles to differentiate from fractions, and examples are insufficient or incorrect.

Criterion 2

Map Scale Ratios

Evaluates students' ability to use map scale ratios to calculate real-world distances.

Exemplary

4 Points

Accurately applies map scale ratios to calculate real-world distances for all exercises with insightful analysis.

Proficient

3 Points

Accurately applies map scale ratios to calculate real-world distances for most exercises.

Developing

2 Points

Applies map scale ratios to calculate real-world distances inconsistently, with some errors.

Beginning

1 Points

Demonstrates difficulty in applying map scale ratios; calculations are often incorrect.

Category 2

Application of Ratios

Assessment of students' ability to apply ratio reasoning to solve problems in the context of the road trip project.

Criterion 1

Fuel Consumption Estimation

Measures students’ ability to estimate fuel consumption using mpg ratios for different trip segments.

Exemplary

4 Points

Accurately estimates fuel needs for all segments using mpg ratios, considering multiple variables; explanations are well-reasoned.

Proficient

3 Points

Accurately estimates fuel needs for most segments using mpg ratios, with clear reasoning.

Developing

2 Points

Estimates fuel needs with some accuracy and using mpg ratios with partial reasoning.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to estimate fuel needs accurately; mpg ratios and reasoning are often incorrect.

Criterion 2

Road Trip Planning

Evaluates the comprehensive road trip plan, including itinerary, distance and fuel calculations, and consideration of constraints.

Exemplary

4 Points

Presents a detailed, well-organized road trip plan that includes all elements, with in-depth analysis and creative solutions to constraints.

Proficient

3 Points

Presents a clear and organized road trip plan, covering all essential elements with logical solutions to constraints.

Developing

2 Points

Presents a basic road trip plan missing some elements; solutions to constraints are limited or superficial.

Beginning

1 Points

Presents an incomplete or unorganized plan; major elements are missing, and constraints are not effectively considered.

Category 3

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Assessment of students' ability to think critically and solve problems in the context of the project.

Criterion 1

Integration of Concepts

Evaluates students' integration of learned concepts into the overall project and solving unstructured problems.

Exemplary

4 Points

Seamlessly integrates multiple concepts into problem-solving; demonstrates innovative and elegant solutions.

Proficient

3 Points

Integrates most learned concepts into problem-solving, with effective solutions.

Developing

2 Points

Shows basic integration of concepts into problem-solving; solutions are somewhat effective.

Beginning

1 Points

Shows limited integration of concepts; struggles with problem-solving, and solutions are often ineffective.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

What did you learn about using ratios in real life from the 'Ratio Road Trip' project?

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Required

Question 2

How confident are you in using ratios to plan a road trip?

Scale

Required

Question 3

What project activities helped you see the difference between ratios and fractions?

Multiple choice

Required

Options

Map Exploration

Fuel Consumption Calculation

Road Trip Itinerary Planning

Discussions and Lectures

Question 4

How has this project changed your view of math in daily life?

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Optional

Question 5

What strategies did you use to solve project challenges, and how effective were they?

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Required

Question 6

In what ways can the skills learned in this project be applied to other real-life situations?

Text

Required