5 Tips in Planning a Fantasy Vacation: a PBL Writing and Math Project

Many of your students may not have an opportunity to go on a family trip during summer break. So, let them plan a fantasy vacation with this fun Project Based Learning Writing and Math Project! While learning about a state or country, your students can plan the vacation. You may even have students who want to plan a "Stay-cation" and research fun places to visit around their own town or city.

Make this the best end of year activity yet with this PBL writing unit where your 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th grade classroom or home school students plan a fantasy vacation for their family. Your students will work on research, math, and writing skills while engaging in this fun project based learning unit. See the five portions of this resource that will have your students learning and engaged from the first moment. {third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth graders}

In this PBL writing project, students are given a budget of $3,000 to plan their trip. This real-world project includes tickets, hotel accommodations, eating expenses, and sightseeing.

1. Plan Ahead

Students can decide where they want to visit and explain why. They can choose the means of travel and hotel accommodations by researching different websites. During the trip, expenses will be calculated on a spreadsheet.

2. Research

After mapping out their trip, students will research to find out important and interesting facts about their destination. Information gained from the research can be written on the graphic organizer. With these facts, students will then design their own travel brochure.

3. Packing Up

Students will decide items they will need for their trip. They'll continue using a spreadsheet to help calculate their daily expenses during the trip.

4. Journaling

Students will plan and reflect each day of their trip. It's fun to find local restaurants and visit local landmarks. They can even add photographs for their photo album and write postcards to family and friends.

5. Sharing and Reflections

As a culminating activity, students can use the app Green Screen by GoInk. Teachers can video each student in front of a green screen as they talk about their trip. Place the video in front of the background. The background can be a famous landmark. Then, students can reflect on the project what worked during the project, what they learned, and ways they can improve.

For your FREE Digital PBL PLANNER, click HERE.

Here's an video that gives you an idea of how Green Screen works.