This week, our math class was able to take the time to combine two of the concepts we have already covered this year: financial literacy and multiplication. In this NTCM Illuminations activity, students attempted to build the most profitable hotel in the class. First, the students were presented with the four rules. They had to use 50 unifix cubes (each cube represented one hotel room), it had to stand freely, each room had to have at least one visible window (vertical face), and everything had to be connected.
From there, students were given two sets of parameters for their designs. First, the students had to pay for the cost of the hotel by taking into consideration its area and height, and the number of roofs and windows. Of particular interest was the tax table, which was based on the building's height. Students were also given prices they would receive from guests for each kind of room. (Rooms varied by the number of windows, and whether or not it had a roof.) In the end, students calculated their profit or loss, and compared their bottom line with other groups.
This was a successful activity for several reasons in my opinion. First, the students were able to see the real-world application of two skills we have learned this year. Second, the students were able to use creativity, problem solving methods, and collaboration skills on the same product. There were many insightful conversations about maximizing area, avoiding higher taxes, designing rooms with higher prices, and calculation strategies. The students met the challenge with excitement, and many of their designs made a significant profit. (Mr. Boykin's design lost $2,900!) Overall, it was a good example of the kind of problem solving that our ASPIRE students are capable of, and I am proud of their positive approach to a challenging task.
(Please note that 4th grade telescopers did not participate due to their Cardboard City activity.)
Sounds like a blast!
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