1. The Perfect Vacation: Working at a Travel Agency Liza Moreno EDTC 6341

2. Overview

3. The Perfect Vacation Grade: Middle School Subject: Language Arts, Geography Time Span: 2-4 Weeks Authentic Problem: Create a Vacation Package for a Teacher in Your School Description: Students will participate in skills building activities throughout the unit and develop a travel package, using the four types of writing.

4. 4 Types of Writing State Standards Literacy Collaboration Authentic Learning Activities Assessment Expository Persuasive Descriptive Narrative Organization Transitions Information Position Topic Sentence Examples Events Setting Plot Characters Sensory Language Figurative Language Adjectives Sentence Structure Punctuation Adjectives Proper Nouns Grammar Parts of Speech

5. Foundations

6. Literacy 4 Types of Writing Expository Budget Report numbers, addition, subtraction, average, spreadsheet Persuasive Press Release logo, slogan, greeting, closing, topic sentence, reasons Narrative Travel Brochure font, headline, image, color, paragraphs, outline Descriptive Multimedia Presentation visual symbols, maps, continents, land formations, flags, hotel class

7. Problem Solving 4 Types of Writing Expository – Budget Report analyze, plan, create, categorize, evaluate Persuasive – Press Release compare, contrast, generalize, summarize Narrative – Brochure predict, outline, organize, infer, develop Descriptive – Presentation elaborate, describe, conclude, explain

8. Knowledge Create a Vacation Package Social Science EditingGrammarPurposeSyntaxAudience Language Arts MapsLanguageCultureGeographyTourism

9. Contents 1.Language Arts/Reading Vocabulary Development 2.Writing/Expository Texts 3.Use Oral and Written Conventions 4.Research/Research Plan 5.Listening/Speaking 6.Social Studies Skills

10. Activities

11. Authentic Activities Activities Research Travel Brochure Create a Press Release Budget Report Vacation Itinerary Multimedia Presentation

12. Background Activities Manager- advertising and persuasion, outlining, sentence structure, parts of a paragraph Travel Agent- research skills, research plan, internet search skills, databases Travel Sales Consultant- report writing, creating a budget, working with Excel Customer Service Specialist- using adjectives, synonyms, symbolism, sensory language, working with Windows Movie Maker Travel Agency- research plan, construct research questions, discuss job-related skills

13. Travel Agency (Group) Introduction: What is a Travel Agency? United Streaming Video Discussion Create Client Questions Select Clients Jobs related to a Travel Agency Job interest Inventory Select Groups Select Jobs

14. Travel Agency (Group) Research Plan Review Interview Responses Construct Research Questions Select Sources (from list)

15. Manager Press Release Persuasive Writing PowerPoint Presentation Outlining Handout Persuasive Vocabulary Worksheet Persuasive Writing in Advertisements (Discussion)

16. Travel Sales Consultant Budget Report Creating Budget with Excel Lesson Travel Expenses Discussion Practice Travel Budget Worksheet How to Summarize Worksheet

17. Travel Agent Travel Brochure Parts of a Brochure PowerPoint Presentation Brochure Structure and Design (Discussion) Sequencing Worksheet Narrative Writing Practice

18. Customer Service Specialist Multimedia Presentation Descriptive Writing Lecture Sensory Language Handout Working with Microsoft PowerPoint Activity What is Copyright? Worksheet

19. Constructing Activities Travel Agency Budget Report Press Release Brochure Multimedia Presentation

20. Sharing Activities Presentation

21. Assessment

22. System of Assessment The unit will be assessed using rubrics. Research – summarizing, syntax, grammar, sources, research plan Press Release – persuasive structure Itinerary – problem solving, organizing Budget Report – sentence structure, transitions The brochure – narrative structure, setting, sequencing Multimedia Presentation – descriptive language, sensory images, symbolism

23. Learning Environment Classroom: Desks are arranges in groups of four or five, facing the front- center of the room. Two computers are placed at opposite sides of the room. A “types of writing” center is located next to the teacher. Computer Cart: The computer cart with fifteen computers is requested for research sections, creating budgets, constructing a spreadsheet, and creating products. Home: Homework assignments include research, written descriptions, vocabulary, practice tour worksheet, and practice budget worksheet. Values: Students are given roles related to a travel agency; they must work together to succeed. Students will be encouraged to share ideas, take risks, participate, and encourage others. An emphasis will be placed on following processes, creativity, collaboration, and group roles.