![[ Image of Covered Wagon ]](images/image005.jpg)
A Pioneer Journey
Students will use information to pack a wagon for a trip from Winnipeg to Edmonton. They choose the supplies they wish to pack but must make careful choices according to criteria. The two criteria are: the mass the wagon is able to carry when pulled by oxen or horses and the amount of money they have to spend. They will use a spreadsheet to record their choices, the total mass and the total amount of money spent. They will perform operations to total their data to determine if they are making good choices according to the outlined restrictions for mass and money. They will employ problem solving strategies to determine which supplies to choose. Based on the sum of the columns they will be able to rethink their choices and make better decisions. They will then employ the strategy of guess and check to determine which supplies to choose. They will learn how to use the basic aspects of excel to produce and print a chart.
The use of a spreadsheet will first be modeled by the teacher and then the grade 3 students will be partnered up with grade 6 students to insert the information into the spreadsheet and to print up a chart. After all the students have completed the chart we will compile the information into another chart for the top ten supplies chosen. We will them graph this information using excel.
In the second part of this unit we will be discussing our community in the present. We will again look at the topic of moving and discuss the choices they would make in moving from one part of Canada to another and what supplies, furniture, toys etc. they would pack and how these items would be moved today.
Technology enhances this lesson because it allows grade three students to add up columns of numbers easily using the sum feature. This skill would normally be beyond the level of most students. They will also be introduced to graphing as part of the activity. Later on in the project they will work together in pairs using other information collected to make a graph. The use of the spreadsheet also allows them to organize and display information in a new way. Once they have completed their list they will be able to see if they have made good choices or if they have to rethink the supplies they chose for the trip. By adjusting the supplies they can easily see if their new choices are better. Using Excel they are able to organize and interpret their information quickly and make calculations and adjustments quickly as well. Graphs, charts, and the use of technology allow for a visual picture of the information and therefore more learning style modalities are involved.
Packing Your Wagon- A Spreadsheet Activity
You are a pioneer. You are traveling from Winnipeg to Edmonton. However, your funds are limited and you will need supplies for the trip and for when you arrive at your homestead near Edmonton. You have a total of 5 people in your group with $265.00 for supplies. Your wagon can only carry 500kg (kilograms). Each member in your group needs to be given 11 kg. for personal belongings (clothes, coats, . . .). These don't cost you any money but reduce the amount of mass (weight) left for supplies. Remember these are supplies that will help you on your journey and start your new life in Alberta. You are responsible for both the money and the kilograms of supplies. You can't spend or carry more than is available. Remember that you need to buy a wagon and animals to pull it. GOOD LUCK!
Discuss with a partner what supplies would be necessary for the trip and for your new life as a farmer. Highlight each of the supplies you decide you will need.
When you have decided on your supplies use Excel and design a spreadsheet showing which supplies you chose for the trip. Include the number of each that you would purchase and the cost of each item chosen. When you have completed your list you will need to total the money you spent and the mass of all the supplies. You will need to use "Guess and Check" as you add your supplies to be sure you have not spent more than $265 and that the mass is not more than 500 kilograms.
Your spreadsheet should have a title, and four columns. It should look like the example below.
|
Supply List for Trip to Edmonton |
|||
|
Supply |
Number |
Cost $ |
Mass(kg) |
|
Belongings |
5 |
|
55 |
|
wagon |
1 |
$ 50.00 |
|
|
flour |
1 |
$ 15.00 |
45 |
|
wheat |
1 |
$ 12.00 |
90 |
|
Supply List |
||
|
Supplies |
Cost |
Mass (Weight) |
|
Wagon |
$50.00 |
------------ |
|
flour (1 barrel) |
$15.00 |
45 kg. |
|
wheat (1 barrel) |
$12.00 |
45 kg. |
|
sugar (1 barrel) |
$19.00 |
40 kg. |
|
1 keg salt (seasoning and preservative) |
$5.00 |
40 kg. |
|
1 water barrel with water |
$8.00 |
43 kg. |
|
alcohol (medicine) |
$5.00 |
2 kg. |
|
dried vegetables |
$10.00 |
32 kg. |
|
Yeast |
$9.00 |
27 kg |
|
Seasonings |
$16.00 |
14 kg. |
|
dried meat |
$22.00 |
36 kg |
|
grain (to eat and feed animals) |
$12.00 |
45 kg. |
|
potatoes |
$8.00 |
23 kg. |
|
1 cow (milk) |
$25.00 |
--------------- |
|
1 horse |
$30.00 |
--------------- |
|
1 ox (need as least 2) |
$15.00 |
--------------- |
|
1 extra wheel |
$20.00 |
50 kg. |
|
1 gun and ammunition |
$6.00 |
5 kg. |
|
kitchen utensils (cooking, knives) |
$5.00 |
10 kg. |
|
household tools (broom, pail, etc.) |
$7.00 |
10 kg. |
|
small farming tools (shovel, saw.. ) |
$8.00 |
14 kg. |
|
nails |
$8.00 |
2 kg. |
|
house decorations |
----------- |
27 kg. |
|
1 lantern and kerosene |
$3.00 |
2 kg. |
|
bedding (for 1 person- 2 blankets) |
$3.00 |
1 kg. |
|
seeds |
$10.00 |
40 kg. |
|
tools to repair wagon |
$6.00 |
10 kg. |
|
1 extra blanket |
$2.00 |
1 kg. |
|
material and sewing equipment |
$5.00 |
14kg. |
|
soap |
$2.00 |
2 kg. |
|
books and supplies (schooling) |
----------- |
23 kg. |
|
1 guitar |
----------- |
4 kg |
|
wax (candles) |
$2.00 |
3 kg. |
|
1 bed |
$2.00 |
45 kg. |
Lesson Activity:
Part I
- In the classroom review with the students what they know about life as a pioneer in Canada from their previous readings, NetSteps and discussion.
- Discuss the overall assignment beginning with the children placing themselves into the character of a pioneer arriving in Canada and preparing to make the journey west to their land.
- Together discuss which of the supplies we might choose first and why. Then discuss which supplies must be included. These will be highlighted. Then in groups of two the students will discuss the supply list and highlight the supplies they believe they would need for the trip and for the homestead.
- Students will then be paired with a grade six partner for the lab activity.
- In the computer lab the teacher will model for the students where to find excel and how to put in titles and information and how to use the AutoSum for guessing and checking.
- Students from grades 3 and 6 will then work together to create a chart that fits the criteria outlined in the assignment. (Grade 6 Students are familiar with spreadsheets.)
- When most of the students have created the chart, how to make changes will also be demonstrated as well as how to add color to areas of the chart. Students may then apply color to the titles and the list of supplies column. The charts will then be printed.
Activity #1 - example
| Supply List for Trip to Edmonton | |||
| Supply | Number | Cost | Mass(kg) |
| belongings | 5 | 55 | |
| wagon | 1 | $50.00 | |
| flour | 1 | $15.00 | 45 |
| wheat | 1 | $12.00 | 90 |
| sugar | 1 | $19.00 | 40 |
| salt | 1 | $5.00 | 40 |
| dried vegetables | 2 | $20.00 | 64 |
| yeast | 1 | $9.00 | 27 |
| potatoes | 1 | $8.00 | 23 |
| 1 cow | 1 | $25.00 | |
| oxen | 2 | $30.00 | |
| extra wheel | 1 | $20.00 | 50 |
| gun and ammunition | 1 | $6.00 | 5 |
| kitchen utensils | 1 | $5.00 | 10 |
| nails | 1 | $8.00 | 2 |
| lantern and kerosene | 1 | $3.00 | 2 |
| bedding | 5 | $15.00 | 5 |
| seeds | 1 | $10.00 | 40 |
| Total | 28 | $260.00 | 498 |
Part II
- In the classroom the students will discuss their choices and the spreadsheets they created.
- Tally the students' choices to see what the most commonly chosen items were. They will record these items and the number of students who chose the item.
- In the lab after reviewing the basics of spreadsheet design students will use a spreadsheet to organize the 10 most common supplies chosen.
- For this activity students will then make a graph showing the 10 most common choices in their classroom. These will be posted and compared with the other grade 3 classes' choices.
Tally of Supplies Chosen- Example
|
Belongings- ///// ////// ///// ///// / |
|
Wagon - ///// ///// ///// ///// |
| Oxen - ///// ///// ///// |
|
Flour - ///// ///// // |
|
Wheat - ///// ///// ///// /// |
|
Cow - ///// //// |
| Tools- ///// ///// ///// / |
|
Seeds - ///// ///// //// |
| Lantern- ///// ///// ///// ///// / |
| Gun- ///// ///// ///// ///// / |
Activity # 2-example
| Most Common Supplies Chosen by Class 3A | |
| Supplies Chosen by Students | No. of Students |
| belongings | 21 |
| wagon | 21 |
| oxen | 15 |
| flour | 12 |
| wheat | 18 |
| cow | 9 |
| tools | 16 |
| seeds | 14 |
| lantern | 21 |
| gun | 21 |
Bishop Savaryn School Teacher: Mrs. Melnyk
Packing the Wagon - What Did We Choose?
A Chart and Graph Activity Grade :____________
Date:_______________ Name: ___________________
Criteria Points
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
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Chart Title and Cell Labels |
Chart was not given a title or labeled. |
Some labels or the title were missing from the chart. |
Cells were labeled and chart has a title but spelling mistakes were made. |
Chart title and cells are labeled correctly. |
|
|
Chart Data |
Several errors were made in the entry of the data. |
Two errors were made in data entry. |
One error was made in data entry. |
All data for the supplies was entered correctly. |
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Graph Labels |
Graph wasn't labeled or titled. |
The title or the axis labels are missing. |
One axis label is missing. |
Graph has title and axis labels. |
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Graph Data |
Several mistakes in the graph data. |
Two mistakes in the graph data. |
One mistake in the data. |
Graph is complete. |
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Project Printed |
Cannot easily read chart or graph and name was not added. |
Chart and graph has areas difficult to read because of color choice. |
Chart and data printed in color but student forgot their name. |
Chart and graph printed in color, all easy to read and has student name. |
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Total Points: |
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Teacher Comments:________________________________________________________________
Bibliography:
The picture on the title page: 7.3 - Homesteaders photographed by Solomon Butcher in Custer County, Nebraska is taken from the web site: http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/resources/archives/seven/