Lesson Description:
The Big Event is a hands-on group statistics project that allows students the freedom to creatively plan a major campus event,
taking into account all of the sources of income and expense involved. They design seating charts, create income and
expense statements, estimate costs, and make graphs (line, bar, circle, and picto-) to visually show the mathematical results
of their planning. Finally, they analyze their project in writing.
Note 1: This project assumes that students
have been taught how to make a frequency table, line graph, bar graph, circle graph, and pictograph or that the teacher will
cover this material during the project.
Note 2: The Big Event is an open-ended project,
meaning that there is no answer key and no one correct way to complete the project. Of course calculations, graphs,
and figures are expected to be accurate.
Math Content:
Statistics, Line Graphs, Bar Graphs, Circle Graphs, Pictographs, Income and Expense Statement, Estimating, Real-life Problem
Solving Application, Writing about Mathematics
Suggested Grade Level:
5th-8th
Time Required:
About 3 Class Periods plus Homework
Materials Needed:
None
Teacher Testimonial:
The Big Event was a big hit with my students. They enjoyed working in groups on a problem that was a little bit outside
of the box. They have to determine the type of event, the seating charts, seat prices, sources of income, expenses,
and actual costs before completing their assignment. Many students got excited about the math because they were planning
a concert by their favorite group or a movie premier complete with movie stars. Their imaginations provided a backdrop
for the mathematics that was used in the project.
The Big Event Project includes:
- 2 Big Event assignment sheets
- 1 Big Event Teacher Project Notes
- 2 Big Event Teacher Tips pages
- 1 Big Event Grading Rubric
- 1 Big Event Cover Page
Enjoy your lesson!!
