South Carolina ETV
South Carolina ETV
1101 George Rogers Boulevard
Columbia, SC 29201-4761
Phone: 803-737-3545
Currency Conversion (Grades 9-12)
Master Teacher
Pete Griffin
Topic
Currency Conversion
Level
High School Economics/Geography/Math
Resources
- Internet-connected computers
- copy of Activity Sheet 1, "Trip Planning Worksheet" for each student
SC Social Studies Standards Met
12.9.9; 12.16.6; 12.16.8
Objectives
Students will learn:
- to use the World Wide Web to conduct research
- information about foreign countries
- to convert currencies to US dollars
- to create a budget for a trip using converted foreign currencies
Web Applications Used
- Investigation
- Communication (role playing)
- Simulation
Overview
When Americans travel to other countries, they must exchange their dollars for the local currency. In this lesson, students will imagine they have $4,000 for a trip to a foreign country. First, they must find that country's currency and the exchange rate for US dollars. Then, using Activity Sheet 1, they will develop a budget for a 7 day/7 night trip to the country.
Steps
1. Have students go the Olsen & Associates Web page.
2. Instruct students to scroll down to the O & A 164 currencies and click on that link. (You may have to explain how links work or present an example to some students depending on their experience.)
3. Explain to students the currency converter on this page. Have them click on US Dollar in the left window and then select a foreign country from the right window.
4. Have them enter the amount of $4000 and click on "Convert Now!"
5. Using this information, students should complete the first three lines of the work-sheet.
Culminating Activity
Students will prepare a budget for a 7 day/7 night trip using Activity Sheet 1.
Encourage students to research actual costs of items listed for their specific destination. Point out the Web pages on the sheet and talk about the type of information found on each. Also encourage students to use a search engine to explore other related Web sites. Suggest they look under name of city, air fares, hotels and motels, attractions, etc. Red2000.com and About.com are two sites you might suggest. Remind students to make sure they include the exchange rate in their budget, complete all budget amounts, and provide total trip costs before turning in the completed worksheet.
Community Connection (optional)
Ask students to create travel brochures for their destinations. They should include maps, short historical summaries, and travel information. Display brochures for other students or publish them on the Web if you have the capability. (This can be an out of class assignment.)
Notes
Circulate and help students with less experience find and navigate Web sites. Write down sites found by students so that they can be included on a list for future students. Also, you'll want to check the sites.
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