8th Grade Student Page

A Web Quest
for
7th-8th Grades - Technology
Designed by
Bobbie Matthews
Web Institute for Teachers, Summer, 2004
Last updated 08/05/2004

NOTE:

While on the Internet {i.e.: survey, research, auto, home, etc.}- to get back to the Project Page - click the back arrow in the upper left hand corner - DO NOT CLICK the X in right corner - this will close out the Project Web Page!

NOTE:

Read the instructions, then Click on the below to link to the page or site requested. (some will not link because these are your personal files-just go to the task bar and click on your file: i.e.: My slide show & Budget)

Tasks:
You will set up your PowerPoint slide show. Open PowerPoint, select title page slide, Add your 'Welcome' in Title bar, add your first and last names in sub-title bar, save the slide show to your personal folder: [Save the PowerPoint to your individual 8th grade team folder: File / Save as: / Desktop / Computer Team Folders / Your team folder / your name / 8th grade folder / file name: your first myslideshow / Save], now add 8 more slides {insert/new slide/choose title only/ok}, save again, title each slide according to the Project Rubric.

click here to return to 8th grade project page

You will take an Occupational Interest Survey (if this site does not open - refresh or click on the suggested: Open the countdown... home page) on the Internet. Answer each question with your opinion/thought [there are no right or wrong answers]. If you are not clear on the question, click on ?Explain at the bottom of the pictures and a separate window gives a short paragraph of explanation. You will get a colorful bar graph when you are done. Print two hard copies of the survey, write your name at the top of each page, circle the three highest numbers on both graphs, give one to me for a grade and you keep the other one. Now go to the next tab...

You will research a few jobs from the results of the survey. Take the handout/worksheet packet to research the occupations I have identified on your bar graph. Follow the instructions on the packet. The occupations listed under "Career Clusters" are generalized headings with the specific job listed under Workgroups and Related Occupations. After you have finished the research on jobs #1-#5 then choose your favorite job (everyone in the class will have a different job). When you are done with the packet be sure to list your favorite job first (on the last page of the packet), second favorite next, etc, etc. Check the Research Rubric Check List to be sure you have all points possible. Give the packet to me and I will assign you the first job listed on that last page - as long as no one else in class has already gotten that job.

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I will write your occupation on the class list. You will now begin your PowerPoint slide #4. Follow the criteria from the discussions in class, the sample on the overhead, and rubric for the PowerPoint slides. You will need: 1) Occupation in Title bar, 2) three text boxes with different font or background or lines 3) first text box = description of occupation, second text box = education for the occupation, third text box = yearly salary 4) clipart or picture of representation of occupation. You are done with slide #4 - now go to the next tab...

Open the monthly budget and save it to your personal folder. Add your name and occupation in the upper left corner cells. Add your yearly income under the word yearly in the budget and tap enter. The formulas are already in place and Excel* will automatically fill in the other cells with monthly, weekly, and hourly $. The predetermined list of monthly expenses are already entered. You must enter your monthly income across from the words: Monthly Income in Column C, tap enter again, and the balance of your monies you have left to purchase a car and a home show in the last column. Save the budget again. You may now purchase a car - but, remember you still need $ for a home.

click here to return to 8th grade project page

You will use the Internet to purchase a car, and calculate monthly payments [scroll down a little on the page with your picture of your car to calculate monthly payments/click on this link] Enter $ onto slide #5 and budget. Be sure to enter the car monthly payments into your (saved in your personal folder) monthly budget (do not add $sign, yes, add cents/.98). Save the budget again. You will place your information on slide #5. Be sure to follow the criteria on the rubric. You will need: 1) Make and Model and Year in title bar 2) picture of car, 3) text box with full price of car, 4) text box with monthly payments

You will use the Internet to purchase a home, then calculate monthly payments [the home must be no more than 25% of your monthly wages]. You must not spend more than you net in a month. Be sure to enter the home monthly payments into your monthly budget (do not add $sign, yes, add cents/.98). Save the budget again. You will place your information on slide #6. Be sure to follow the criteria on the rubric. You will need: 1) Title (i.e.: My Home or My Place or My Pad or My Crib, etc.) in the title bar 2) picture of home, 3) text box with full price of home, 4) text box with monthly payments, 5) text box with # bedrooms, 6) text box with # bathrooms.

click here to return to 8th grade project page

You will write a summary [using phrases] of this project following the criteria on your slide #8 titled: "Something I learned...".
*You will describe how difficult it was in finding a home based on your salary.
*You will describe any correlation you think exists between education and income.
*You will determine, if you had to live on your own immediately, could you survive on your income?
*What I liked about the entire project was...
*What I would do differently if I was to this project again would be...
*What I would like the teacher and/or class to do next time would be...
*The most interesting and/or informative part of the project was...
*...My own thought(s) not listed...
Finish/Finalize your PowerPoint Slide Show with animation, sound effects, clipart/pictures, etc. You will be presenting your nine slides to the entire class. Double check your rubric.
***Be sure to use bullets to identify the information listed above - in phrases (remember PowerPoint is not everything you want to tell the audience - it is only a visual assisting the audience to stay attentive while you speak.) No Complete sentences in PowerPoint.

Extra Credit! Compute your taxes! Follow the suggested link and compute your income taxes (As a wage earning adult this is done every year-due by April 15th) Let's see you do this on your own following the instructions and clicking on the links. You can do this!

click here to return to 8th grade project page

To introduce and familiarize yourself with problems and decisions associated with everyday living as a productive working adult. Research on the World Wide Web to take an occupational survey, research a few careers/occupations, create a budget, purchase a car, purchase a home, and then present a PowerPoint slide show to your class. These lessons and activities will enhance life skills plus; teach, practice, and review your lessons on the use of technology in your daily lives, thus being able to state: "I'm making it on my own..."

Standards

Ø Students demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and operation of technology systems.

Ø Students understand the ethical, cultural, and societal issues related to technology.

Ø Students practice responsible use of technology systems, information, and software.

Ø Students develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong learning, collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity.

Ø Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity.

Ø Students use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-enhanced models, prepare publications, and produce other creative works.

Ø Students use telecommunications to collaborate, publish, and interact with peers, experts, and other audiences.

Ø Students use a variety of media and formats to communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences.

Ø Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources.

Ø Students evaluate and select new information resources and technological innovations based on the appropriateness for specific tasks.

Ø Students use technology resources for solving problems and making informed decisions.

Ø Students employ technology in the development of strategies for solving problems in the real world.

STATE GOAL 5: Use the language arts to acquire, assess and communicate information.