Project Based Learning: One Million Dollar Project- Elementary Grade 3

​Project Objective:


Collaborate with group members to gather information, utilize math skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication), and create a final project board.


Common Core Standards: California


Writing Standard- Research to Build and Present Knowledge: Recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question. Conduct short research projects that build knowledge about a topic.


Speaking and Listening Standard- Comprehension and Collaboration: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher led) with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly. Ask and answer questions about information from a speaker, offering appropriate elaboration and detail.


Speaking and Listening Standard- Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas: Report on a topic with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace.


Language Standards- Conventions of Standard English: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when speaking.


Math Standards- Operations and Algebraic Thinking: Represent and solve problems involving addition, subtraction and multiplication.


Math Standards- Measurement and Data: Work with time and money. Represent and interpret data.


Math Standards- Number and Operations in Base Ten: Understand place value. ​

​Project Description:


This project follows a section on purchasing items and calculating costs. Tax has not been yet presented, so it is not included in this project. Students work in groups to collect pricing info, make buying decisions, add up costs, and present a finished project board. The project will take about 4 hours to complete. One hour each Monday-Thursday and Friday will be project presentation day. While students all have their specific jobs, all group mates may help with each section of the project.


Day 1: Research
The groups search for prices of different items on the computer, through newspaper and magazine clippings, and through grocery receipts. The researcher role takes notes, saves pictures and ensures the group has collected enough data to be over 1 million dollars.


Day 2: Buying
The group works together to make purchasing decisions based on the data they collected the day before. The accountant role comes up with a total purchase price that must be as close to 1 million dollars as possible, but not over.


Day 3: Compiling Receipt
The accountant, with the help of the group, creates a list of every purchased item making sure that each item is accounted for. Addition, Subtraction, and Multiplication will be used. Once the list is complete, the accountant will print the list for presentation.


Day 4: Project Board Creation
The artist, with the help of the group, will take a look at the list of items purchased and find pictures to post on the project board. The project board will end up looking like a collage with all items and prices included.


Day 5: Presentation Day
The groups will present both the project board and their receipt to the class. After presentation they will answer questions from classmates and the teacher. ​

Student Roles:    Students are separated into groups of 3


All group mates: Discuss together which items they should buy to reach 1 million dollars.


The researcher: Collects data about the expense of items. For example, looking up houses on Zillow that are for sale, looking through newspaper clippings or magazines for prices, looking at items on Amazon. The researcher must find OVER 1 million dollars worth of items


The accountant: Keeps track of money “spent”. The main goal is to make sure the group gets as close to 1 million dollars as possible without going over. Tax is not going to be included in this project. The accountant also compiles the list of items to present to the rest of the class.


The artist: Creates a finished project board that shows the items that have been “purchased” to reach 1 million dollars.

Evaluation:


Participation Grade - 30%: ​

​Presentation Grade - 30%

​Math Grade - 40%

​Plan to monitor the student project:


-Walk around the room to observe group work.
-Ask groups questions about their critical thinking(What kind of purchases are you considering?) and collaboration (What role is each group member taking?)
-Request a verbal summary of project accomplishments after each day of project work from each group.
-Have kids do a self assessment after each day of project work.
-Complete formative assessments throughout the project.




Plan to provide intermediate and final feedback to students:

• During the first 4 days of project work, I will listen to student summaries and self assessments. I will also consider my own observations and conversations with group members throughout the day. I will provide verbal feedback to each group at the end of class. I will give them recommendations for continuing their work. I will also give them praise for a job well done. Finally I will discuss any necessary changes to their plan. With 5-7 groups of 3 this process should take about 15 minutes at the end of each project class.

• Final feedback and grades will be given after each group presents their final project. I will be grading each project as I hear it. I will also need to double check the math receipt during the project presentation time.

• Questions or discussions about grades can be presented at the beginning of the next class.

Bibliography:

The California Department of Education. (2013). Common Core State Standards California Mathematics [Ebook]. Retrieved from https://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/ccssmathstandardaug2013.pdf


The California Department of Education. (2013). Common Core State Standards California English Language Arts & Literacy in History/ Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects [Ebook]. Retrieved from https://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/finalelaccssstandards.pdf