Aim:
1.
To construct computer generated bar graphs and line graphs.
2. To uses the internet as a research tool.
3. To read and interpret graphs.
4. To use a drawing program and a spreadsheet to create bar and line graphs.
5. To share ideas with other students.
6. To work cooperatively and develop respect for other students' opinions.
7. To appreciate the fact that stock prices change daily.
8. To appreciate the volatility of the stock market.
Setting: This lesson could take place in a computer lab or in a classroom setting in cooperative learning groups. In a class of thirty students, six groups would be formed.
Materials: Computer with Internet capabilities, drawing and painting applications such as Kidpix, ClarisWorks, AppleWorks, or Microsoft Works, printer.
Vocabulary: axis title bar graph line graph stock quote closing price
Motivations:
1. Students, within their cooperative learning groups will be following the progress of the stocks they have chosen to
invest in over a period of 4-6 weeks.
2. Students will obtain quick access to multimedia displays
of information via the Internet.
3. Students will develop pride in being able to create
a finished bar and line graph on the computer and print out document for
display.
4. Cooperative learning group members will be assigned duties
such as researcher, who will locate stock quotes on internet, recorder,
who will write the closing quote for each stock, graphic artists, who will
draw the bar and line graphs, and a reporter, who will report to class
on the progress of the stocks.
5. Teacher will exhibit previously made graphs as samples and demonstrate
with LCD display projected during whole class instruction, how using Kidpix
box tool and line tool can be used to construct graphs. Demonstrate how
text tool can be used to label title of graph and X and Y axis. See graphs
below.
Additional
URL's to try are:
http://wsj.com
http://marketwatch.com
http://bloomberg.com
http://multexinvestor.com
http://thestreet.com
http://money.com
http://stockplayer.com
Procedure:
1. Students, meeting in their cooperative learning groups
(which were set up at beginning of stock market game unit) research daily
closing price of the five stocks they have chosen to invest in. They can
find this information on America On Line by clicking on Personal Finance,
selecting quotes, enter symbol or company name. They can also access this
information by going to the URLs listed below.
2. Students will record closing prices for their stocks.
3. Students will construct X and Y axis and title for
their graphs using Kidpix line tool and text tool.
4. Students will use Kidpix wacky pencil to plot points
on line graph and use line tool to connect points.
5. Students will use Kidpix box tool and fill patterns
to draw bars on graph.
6. Students print and share their completed graphs with
class.
Evaluation:
Students will be evaluated on their ability to find the daily closing stock
quotes, the aesthetic appearance and accuracy of their graphs produced as
well as on the reporting the data depicted on their graphs. They will also
be evaluated on the extent of cooperation within their groups.
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