Real World Performance Tasks

Cedar Point Real World Performance Tasks

Real World Real Life, Real Data, Real-Time - These activities put students into real life scenarios where they use real-time, real data to solve problems. In the Thrills and Chills series, we use data from theme parks and update our data regularly. Note - some data has been rounded or simplified in order to adjust the math to the appropriate level.

Engaging Relevant – Students today are familiar with and enjoy amusement park rides, making these activities very relevant to children’s every day lives. Authentic Tasks - Through these activity sheets students learn how to make comparisons with decimals and are prompted to form opinions and ideas about how they would solve real life problems. A glossary is included to help them with the unfamiliar terms used. Student Choice - Each set of activity sheets is available in multiple versions where students will do the same activities using data for different amusement parks (e.g., Busch Gardens, Hershey Park, Six Flags, etc.) You or your students can pick the location that most interests them.

Modular Principal Activity - The activity sheets always start with repeated practice of a core skill matched to a common core standard, as set out in the Teacher Guide. This principal activity (or Level 1 as it is labeled to students) can be used in isolation. Step Up Activity - For the Level 2 questions, students are required to integrate a different skill or set of skills with increasing complexity. The additional skills used to answer these questions are set out in the Teacher Guide. Challenge - This is designed to require critical thinking skills and stretch students to reason with math and data to come to conclusions. They are matched up with one of the Common Core Standards for Mathematical Practice. These activities work well with students in pairs or small groups where they can discuss the math. Cross-Curricular Activity - Every activity sheet also includes a finale that you can use to extend the math lesson into another subject (usually ELA). These could be assigned in a second lesson or for homework.

Customizable All of the activity sheets are provided in Word so that they can be differentiated to add remove or edit questions or even add space for students to show their work. Suggested customizations for each activity sheet are given in the Teacher Guide.

Community We would love you and your students to let us know how you get on. Join the conversation on Twitter starting your tweet with @nextlesson and using #Coasters.

Updated June 2014 © NextLesson 2014

Compare, Order, & Round Decimals

Teacher Guide

Sound bite for Students: “In the real world we use our understanding of the meaning (or value) of the digits in a decimal to compare, order, and round numbers.” Skills Practiced: Principal Activity (Level 1): - Compare/order decimals to the thousandths Step Up Activity (Level 2): - Round decimals to the tenths - Multiply decimals

Common Core Math Standards Addressed: 5.NBT.A.3 Read, write, and compare decimals to thousandths. Read and write decimals to thousandths using base-ten numerals, number 5.NBT.A.3a Principal names, and expanded form. Activity: Compare two decimals to thousandths based on meanings of the digits in 5.NBT.A.3b each place, using >, =, and < symbols to record the results of comparisons. 5.NBT.A.4 Use place value understanding to round decimals to any place.

Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals to hundredths, using concrete Step Up models or drawings and strategies based on place value, properties of Activity: 5.NBT.B.7 operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction; relate the strategy to a written method and explain the reasoning used.

Differentiation Tips: You can edit any of the activity sheets to: - change the numbers or tasks given (e.g. change the place values being used) - add or remove hints for differentiation purposes (e.g. remove the Did You Know section and have students identify the Rule in Level 2) - remove/add questions (e.g. eliminate rides) - allow students to use calculators Due to school paper restriction, the spacing provided is only for answers. However, you could modify the spacing to add room for work if desired.

Updates: At NextLesson we strive to engage students with data that is real and real-time. This lesson uses data as of March 2014. Please come back for the most recent updates.

Updated June 2014 © NextLesson 2014 Cedar Point

Name: ______

You are a journalist for the Travel and Leisure section of your local newspaper. You have been assigned to write an article on amusement park thrill rides.

Your Challenge: What is the top roller coaster in Cedar Point for visitors seeking the ultimate thrill?

LEVEL 1

1. Compare the drop heights of the roller coasters.

Roller Coaster Use >, <, or = Roller Coaster Drop Height (meters) to compare. Drop Height (meters) Disaster Transport Maverick

15.24 100 Wicked Twister Magnum XL-200

62.7888 194.7 Millennium Force Maverick

91 100 Wicked Twister Millennium Force

62.7888 91 Magnum XL-200 Disaster Transport

194.7 15.24 Maverick Wicked Twister

100 62.7888 Magnum XL-200 Maverick

194.7 100 Disaster Transport Millennium Force

15.24 91

2. Order the drop heights of the roller coasters from greatest to least.

______> ______> ______> ______> ______(drop height) (drop height) (drop height) (drop height) (drop height)

______> ______> ______> ______> ______(roller coaster) (roller coaster) (roller coaster) (roller coaster) (roller coaster)

1 Updated June 2014 © NextLesson 2014 Cedar Point

LEVEL 2

To make the decimals easier to work with, but to keep the measurements precise, you need to round the heights to the nearest tenth.

3. Round each drop height to the nearest tenth.

Drop Height Rounded to the Roller Coaster (meters) nearest tenth

Wicked Twister 62.7888 Magnum XL-200 194.7 Millennium Force 91 Maverick 100 Disaster Transport 15.24

You also want to compare the coasters at Cedar Point to popular coasters at other amusement parks. In order to make comparisons, the units of measure must be the same.

Did you know… ☞ A meter is a metric unit and a foot is a customary unit. ☞ One meter is larger than one foot. ☞ 1 meter = 3.28 feet

4. Use the drop heights rounded to the nearest tenth to convert the drop heights from meters to feet. Then, round each to nearest whole number.

Drop Height Drop Height Roller Coaster (meters to nearest tenth) (feet rounded)

Wicked Twister

Magnum XL-200

Millennium Force

Maverick

Disaster Transport

2 Updated June 2014 © NextLesson 2014

Cedar Point Challenge

You have also been given data related to the maximum speed of each ride.

1. Order the maximum speeds from greatest to least and use <, =, or > to show your comparisons.

Maximum Speed Roller Coaster (km/h)

Wicked Twister 116 Magnum XL-200 116 Millennium Force 150 Maverick 113 Disaster Transport 64

2. Identify if there are any differences between this order and the order according to drop heights. Explain.

3. Can you infer if the maximum speed is related to the drop height? What other factors might you consider as you decide which is the top roller coaster for visitors seeking the ultimate thrill?

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Cedar Point

Finale

You could give students one of the following finale options or have them choose themselves.

1. Write an article for the Travel and Leisure section of your local newspaper about the thrill ride(s) that Cedar Point has to offer its visitors.

2. Design a travel brochure that highlights features of at least three of the roller coasters.

3. Create an infographic using all of the information on drop heights and maximum speeds to show how the rides compare to each other.

4. Your article on Cedar Point was a success. You want to suggest that the newspaper run a follow-up article. Research roller coasters at other amusement parks. Write a summary of the information you find to present to your editor. In addition to your summary, include how you plan to grab your readers’ attention in your follow-up article.

5. Compose a tweet (140 characters or less) to convince thrill-seekers to visit Cedar Point to ride their top roller coaster.

Glossary

Drop height – the distance between the Precise – accurate or exact. highest and lowest point when a roller coaster does one drop. Ultimate – the best possible.

Journalist – someone who writes for newspapers or magazines or prepares news for broadcast (see also Job Background).

ANSWER KEY LEVEL 1 1. Roller Coaster Use >, <, or = Roller Coaster Drop Height (meters) to compare. Drop Height (meters) Disaster Transport Maverick < 15.24 100 Wicked Twister Magnum XL-200 < 62.7888 194.7 Millennium Force Maverick < 91 100 Wicked Twister Millennium Force < 62.7888 91 Magnum XL-200 Disaster Transport > 194.7 15.24 Maverick Wicked Twister > 100 62.7888 Magnum XL-200 Maverick > 194.7 100 Disaster Transport Millennium Force < 15.24 91

2. 194.7 > 100 > 91 > 62.7888 > 15.24 Magnum XL-200 > Maverick > Millennium Force > Wicked Twister > Disaster Transport

Updated June 2014 © NextLesson 2014 Cedar Point ANSWER KEY LEVEL 2 3. Drop Height Rounded to the Roller Coaster (meters) nearest tenth

Wicked Twister 62.7888 62.8 Magnum XL-200 194.7 194.7 Millennium Force 91 91 Maverick 100 100 Disaster Transport 15.24 15.2

4. Drop Height Drop Height Roller Coaster (meters to nearest tenth) (feet rounded)

Wicked Twister 62.8 206 Magnum XL-200 194.7 639 Millennium Force 91 298 Maverick 100 328 Disaster Transport 15.2 50

Updated June 2014 © NextLesson 2014 Cedar Point ANSWER KEY Challenge 1. 150 > 116 = 116 > 113> 64 Millennium Force > Wicked Twister = Magnum XL-200 > Maverick > Disaster Transport

2. Explanations may vary.. Yes, there are some differences.

3. Answers will vary. Students should take into consideration that coaster will often gain more speed with a longer, steep drop, but that a shallower drop might account for less speed. Consderations: drop height, maximum speed, inversions, number of drops.

Journalists fall into the Bureau of Labor Statistics Category of “Writers and Authors”. Quick Facts: Writers and Authors

2012 Median Pay $55,940 per year or $26.89 per hour

Entry-Level Education Bachelor’s degree

Work Experience in a Related Occupation None

On-the-job Training Moderate-term on-the-job training

Number of Jobs, 2012 129,100

Job Outlook, 2012-22 3% (Slower than average)

Employment Change, 2012-22 3,800

What Writers and Authors Do Writers and authors develop written content for advertisements, books, magazines, movie and television scripts, songs, and online publications.

Work Environment Writers and authors work in an office, at home, or wherever else they have access to a computer. Most work full time. However, self-employed and freelance writers usually work part time or have variable schedules. About two-thirds were self-employed in 2012.

How to Become a Writer or Author A college degree is generally required for a full-time position as a writer or author. Proficiency with computers is necessary for staying in touch with sources, editors, and other writers while working on assignments. Excellent writing skills are essential.

Pay The median annual wage for writers and authors was $55,940 in May 2012.

Job Outlook Employment of writers and authors is projected to grow 3 percent from 2012 to 2022, slower than the average for all occupations. Strong competition is expected for full-time jobs because many people are attracted to this occupation.