Yellowstone Adventure: 4-Day Road Trip Itinerary
Created byAndrew Green
15 views0 downloads

Yellowstone Adventure: 4-Day Road Trip Itinerary

Grade 6Other4 days
This project guides sixth-grade students in creating a four-day travel itinerary for Yellowstone National Park. Through research on the park's geographical features and significant sites, students learn to balance time, cost, and experience while planning. The project involves activities such as mapping routes, scheduling activities, budget planning, and compiling a final comprehensive itinerary. Learning objectives focus on research, collaboration, math skills, and understanding geological impacts on travel routes.
YellowstoneItineraryResearchRoute PlanningBudgetingCollaboration
Want to create your own PBL Recipe?Use our AI-powered tools to design engaging project-based learning experiences for your students.
📝

Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we create a comprehensive 4-day itinerary for visiting Yellowstone National Park that balances the exploration of significant sites, practical travel tips, and an enriching visitor experience?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What are the geographical features of Yellowstone National Park that influence travel routes?
  • Which sites in Yellowstone are the most significant and why?
  • How do you plan a travel itinerary that balances time, cost, and experience effectively?
  • What activities are available at each site in Yellowstone, and how do they enhance the visitor experience?
  • What practical tips can ensure a safe and enjoyable trip to Yellowstone National Park?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will develop research skills by gathering information on geographical features and significant sites of Yellowstone National Park.
  • Students will enhance collaboration and communication skills through planning and discussion of the trip itinerary.
  • Students will apply mathematical skills in calculating costs, distances, and times for the itinerary.
  • Students will understand the impact of geological features on travel routes within Yellowstone National Park.
  • Students will learn to develop a comprehensive travel itinerary that balances site exploration, time, and budget.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.7
Primary
Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and refocusing the inquiry when appropriate.Reason: Students will conduct research on Yellowstone's geographical features, significant sites, and activities to create the itinerary.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.1
Supporting
Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on Grade 6 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.Reason: Planning an itinerary requires collaboration and discussion among students to decide on sites, routes, and activities.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.NS.B.3
Supporting
Fluently add, subtract, multiply, and divide multi-digit decimals using the standard algorithm for each operation.Reason: Students will calculate travel costs, distances, and time management in their itineraries.

Next Generation Science Standards

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3
Secondary
Analyze and interpret data on the distribution of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures to provide evidence of past plate motions.Reason: Students may engage with some geological features of Yellowstone that relate to past geological activities.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Environmental Investigation Case: Yellowstone

Introduce students to a mystery environmental issue purportedly occurring in Yellowstone and challenge them to craft an itinerary with a focus on investigating and addressing this issue as part of their road trip.
📚

Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Yellowstone Site Explorer

Students explore and research different sites within Yellowstone National Park, focusing on significant geological features and ecological highlights. This initial exploration will provide them with the foundational knowledge needed to choose sites for their itinerary.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research the geographical features of Yellowstone using multiple sources.
2. Identify key sites of interest based on geological significance, wildlife presence, and visitor reviews.
3. Select two distinct sites to visit each day of the itinerary.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA list of chosen sites with brief descriptions and significance.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity aligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.7 by requiring students to conduct research and draw on several sources to gather information.
Activity 2

Route Mapper Masterclass

Students create travel routes using maps and tools, identifying the most efficient paths between selected sites factoring in geographical constraints and travel time. This activity enhances students' spatial reasoning and navigational skills.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Use online mapping tools to examine travel routes between your selected Yellowstone sites.
2. Analyze the terrain and road conditions that might affect travel.
3. Draft a preliminary map of the travel routes for each day.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAnnotated maps showing travel routes and potential obstacles or interesting landmarks.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports NGSS.MS-ESS2-3 by analyzing geological features and CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.NS.B.3 for calculating distances.
Activity 3

Activity Agenda Architect

Students plan daily activities considering the unique offerings of each Yellowstone site. By doing so, they learn to balance exploration with rest and necessary travel logistics.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research activities available at each chosen site attending to time constraints.
2. Create a schedule that includes allocated time for each activity and breaks.
3. Ensure the activities provide a comprehensive visitor experience highlighting educational and recreational opportunities.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed agenda listing activities for each day's itinerary.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.1 by engaging in collaborative discussion and planning.
Activity 4

Travel Budget Analyst

Students calculate the expenses associated with their planned itinerary, focusing on travel costs, accommodations, meals, and activities. This encourages real-world application of math skills.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Estimate costs for travel, including fuel or transport passes.
2. Research accommodation options within close proximity to your planned stops.
3. Calculate daily costs for meals and activities.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA travel budget spreadsheet detailing projected daily expenses.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity ties to CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.NS.B.3 by requiring multi-digit decimal calculations.
Activity 5

Final Itinerary Creator

Students compile all their research and planning into a comprehensive 4-day itinerary, addressing practical travel tips and ensuring all elements harmonize into a realistic and enjoyable trip.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Consolidate site choices, routes, activities, and budget into a formal itinerary layout.
2. Review the itinerary for balance of activities, rest, and logistical feasibility.
3. Add practical travel tips and safety information relevant to Yellowstone National Park.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA complete 4-day Yellowstone National Park itinerary document.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis final creation encompasses all standards by synthesizing research, collaborative planning, math calculations, and an understanding of geological impact on travel.
🏆

Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Yellowstone Road Trip Itinerary Rubric

Category 1

Research and Site Selection

Assesses the ability to research and choose significant sites within Yellowstone based on geological and ecological factors.
Criterion 1

Research Quality

Evaluates the depth of research conducted on Yellowstone's geographical features and sites.

Exemplary
4 Points

Conducts thorough research using multiple credible sources, covering a wide range of geographic and ecological aspects of Yellowstone.

Proficient
3 Points

Conducts adequate research using several sources, identifying important geographic and ecological features of Yellowstone.

Developing
2 Points

Conducts basic research with limited sources, identifying some geographic and ecological features of Yellowstone.

Beginning
1 Points

Conducts minimal research with poor source use, lacking understanding of Yellowstone's features.

Criterion 2

Site Selection

Evaluates the selection of sites based on their significance and ability to provide a balanced visitor experience.

Exemplary
4 Points

Selects sites showing a deep understanding of geological significance and visitor interest, offering diverse experiences.

Proficient
3 Points

Selects appropriate sites with good understanding of their significance and visitor appeal.

Developing
2 Points

Selects sites with some understanding of significance but lacking in diversity of experiences.

Beginning
1 Points

Selects sites with minimal understanding of significance or visitor interest.

Category 2

Route Planning

Assesses students' ability to create effective travel routes considering geographical features and logistical constraints.
Criterion 1

Route Accuracy

Evaluates the accuracy and feasibility of the planned travel routes between sites.

Exemplary
4 Points

Plans highly feasible and efficient routes, effectively using maps and tools, considering terrain and road conditions.

Proficient
3 Points

Plans feasible routes using maps and tools, considering most terrain and road conditions.

Developing
2 Points

Plans basic routes with limited consideration of terrain and conditions.

Beginning
1 Points

Plans routes lacking feasibility and consideration of terrain and road conditions.

Category 3

Activity Scheduling

Assesses the creation of a balanced and detailed itinerary of activities for each day.
Criterion 1

Activity Appropriateness

Evaluates the selection of activities in terms of educational and recreational value.

Exemplary
4 Points

Plans activities that offer high educational and recreational value, effectively balancing daily schedules.

Proficient
3 Points

Plans activities that offer good educational and recreational value, maintaining a balanced schedule.

Developing
2 Points

Plans activities with some educational or recreational value but lacks balance.

Beginning
1 Points

Plans activities with limited educational or recreational value, showing imbalance.

Category 4

Budget Planning

Assesses the ability to calculate and compile a realistic budget for the itinerary.
Criterion 1

Budget Calculations

Evaluates the accuracy and detail of cost estimations for travel, accommodations, and activities.

Exemplary
4 Points

Creates a detailed and accurate budget with comprehensive cost estimations for all aspects of the trip.

Proficient
3 Points

Creates an accurate budget with detailed cost estimations for most aspects of the trip.

Developing
2 Points

Creates a budget with basic cost estimations, missing some details.

Beginning
1 Points

Creates an incomplete budget with inaccurate or missing cost estimations.

Category 5

Itinerary Compilation

Assesses the synthesis of research, planning, and budgeting into a cohesive and informative itinerary document.
Criterion 1

Itinerary Completeness

Evaluates the overall quality and completeness of the final itinerary, including practical tips and logistics.

Exemplary
4 Points

Produces a comprehensive and clear itinerary, excellently incorporating all researched data, tips, and logistics.

Proficient
3 Points

Produces a clear and informative itinerary, incorporating most researched data, tips, and logistics.

Developing
2 Points

Produces a basic itinerary, lacking in some areas of research, tips, or logistics.

Beginning
1 Points

Produces an incomplete itinerary with significant gaps in research, tips, or logistics.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on the process of creating a 4-day itinerary for Yellowstone National Park. What skills did you find most valuable during the planning, and why?

Text
Required
Question 2

On a scale from 1 to 5, how challenging did you find balancing time, cost, and experience while planning your itinerary?

Scale
Required
Question 3

What was the most surprising thing you learned about Yellowstone National Park during your research?

Text
Required
Question 4

Which practical travel tip that you included in your itinerary do you feel is the most crucial for visitors?

Text
Required
Question 5

Imagine you have a choice to visit only one site from your itinerary. Which site would it be, and why?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Site from Day 1
Site from Day 2
Site from Day 3
Site from Day 4