Proving For The Crew

 

Lewis and Clark Sculpture

When students write their own questions they are encouraged to think a little harder. These questions are unedited except for some spelling. They may search online to help them with the content of the questions.
Component
Number and number sense
Operations

Objectives
Adds, subtracts, and multiplies whole numbers, decimals, and fractions, including mixed numbers,
Divides whole numbers to solve real-world problems, using appropriate methods of computing
Solves problems using different strategies
Materials
Math resource books
computer with Internet capabilities

Procedure

  1. The students use all their math resources in the classroom (text books, computers, calculators, compasses, rulers, etc.) to help write questions that will pertain to the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

  2. Each one writes several questions.

  3. They write the answers on the back of the page.

  4. They then exchange the papers other students who will solve the problems.

        Examples of questions written by students:

        1. Lewis and Clark had 50 people in the expedition and they all ate 2 pounds of food a day. How many
            pounds did they have to eat in 6 days?  (600 pounds)

        2. There are 50 people on the expedition and one man died and 5 left the team. The rest of the team
            started to look for the 5 people that left. How many were looking for the 5 men? (44) 

        3. Lewis and Clark's men (50) each ate two bags of food a day. There were 2 pounds of food in each
            bag. How many pounds of food did they eat in 6 days?  (1200)

       4. There were 50 people in the expedition. Each cabin that they built held 5 people. How many cabins
           will they need to build?   (10) Find out what percent will each cabin hold. (10%)

       5. In the Lewis and Clark expedition there were 50 people. If 3/8 went ahead to scout the area and 2/4 
           left to search for food, how many stayed behind? Write it as a fraction and then the number that left. 
           (1/8) (6)

       6. If Lewis and Clark traveled for seven miles in one day and there are 5,280 feet in one mile, how
           many feet did they travel?  (36,960)

       7. In one part of their journey, Lewis and Clark traveled for 18 days. How many hours did they travel in
           all?  (432)

       8. Lewis and Clark were on the journey for 18 months. Approximately how many days were they gone?
           (Use 30 days for each month) (540)

       9. There are 50 people in the Lewis and Clark expedition. 12 are tall, 34 are medium, and 4 are short.
           What percentage of the people are tall?  (24%)
Evaluation
Each student will complete the Evaluation Checklist
Homework
Go online and find five math word problems. Copy and solve them. This is done after the above
questions have been turned in.

Sites to visit
AAA Math Plus http://aaamath.com/B/grade5.htm
Fifth Grade Skills http://internet4classrooms.com/skills_5th.htm
Extension Activities
 Have the students search online for a recipe for beef jerky and make it.

Make a list of all the provisions a crew would need today in order to make an eighteen month trip.

Write several math problems that pertain to your own life.