Grades 9-12: Personal Finance - Chevy Volt…It’s Electric!
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Common Core Standards
Grades 9-12
Reading in Science and Technical Subjects
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-12.2 Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; trace the text's explanation or depiction of a complex process, phenomenon, or concept; provide an accurate summary of the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-12.4 Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 9-10 texts and topics.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-12.7 Translate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text into visual form (e.g., a table or chart) and translate information expressed visually or mathematically (e.g., in an equation) into words.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-12.9 Compare and contrast findings presented in a text to those from other sources (including their own experiments), noting when the findings support or contradict previous explanations or accounts.
Writing in Science and Technical Subjects
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9-12.1 Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9-12.8 Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the usefulness of each source in answering the research question; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS ANCHOR STANDARDS
Speaking and Listening
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.4 Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Language
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.6 Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when encountering an unknown term important to comprehension or expression.
Mathematic Standards
6.NS.B. Compute fluently with multi-digit numbers and find common factors and multiples.
7.RP.A. Analyze proportional relationships and use them to solve real-world and mathematical problems.
MP1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
MP6 Attend to precision.
Description of Lesson
This Grade 9-12 lesson titled “Chevy Volt…It’s Electric!” is from econedlink.org. In this lesson, students: read and research the history of the production of electric cars, interpret charts, and use data to complete a cost/benefit analysis. A culminating activity asks students to complete an assessment activity worksheet that demonstrates their knowledge and skills. Opportunities for extension activities are included.
Cautions
Connecticut teachers should be aware that the Common Core Standards listed above have been updated to conform to Science and Technical Subjects Standards for high school students. There are no National Standards in Personal Finance that closely relate to this lesson.Teachers are cautioned that the materials (including the live links) will require familiarity to be used effectively—to determine both the pacing and how to best meet the instructional needs of all students. Computers with Internet access are required. Although the plan includes some assessment guidelines, it does not include a CCSS-aligned scoring rubric to provide sufficient guidance for interpreting student performance for the targeted standards.
Rationale for Selection
This lesson plan is a good example of how to provide students with authentic learning, application of literacy and math skills, student directed inquiry, analysis, evaluation, and reflection. It cultivates interest and engagement in reading, writing, and speaking about texts to develop a point of view. Technology and media are used to deepen learning and draw attention to evidence and texts as appropriate.