Grade Level: 4^th - 5^th Grades

Content Area: Language Arts, Writing, Geography, Math, Computer Literacy, Educational Technology

Time: 1.5 hours

Technology:  Internet Search, Graphics, Desktop Publishing, Word Processing

Student Instructions:

The goal of this lesson is for students to research vacation destinations based on their family’s vacation interests, needs, and concerns and create a travel brochure for their family using a Microsoft Publisher or Microsoft Word.

 

 

You will act as travel agents and research various vacation destinations using internet search engines to collect data and create a travel brochure based on their family’s interests and concerns.

The brochures are for the student’s family members who are looking for exciting discount summer vacations that meet their interests and are within their budget.  Their classmates will also review the presentation to provide peer feedback.

Suggested websites:

http://www.ustravel.org/news/press-kit/travel-facts-and-statistics

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/us

http://www.restaurantrow.com/

http://www.cruises.com

http://www.hotels.com

http://www.expedia.com

http://www.stockfootageforfree.com/

http://freefoto.ca/photos/vacation/

Suggested videos:
Microsoft Word : How to Make a Brochure in a Word Document

Creating brochures using Microsoft Publisher

Students will act as travel agents and research various vacation destinations using internet search engines to collect data and create a travel brochure based on their family’s interests and concerns. 

You will meet with your family and discuss their vacation budget, needs, interests, and concerns. 

Some critical thinking questions to be considered for group discussion are:

• How much does your family spend on summer vacations?  What types of discounts are available?
• How has the general economy affected family vacation options?
• How have fuel prices affected family vacations costs and options?
• How has terrorism affected family vacation travel options?
• What is the crime rate in your destination? Are there any social problems?
• What travel documents are required?
• What type(s) of activities are of interest to children, teens, and parents?
• What types of places do families like to visit?

You will then record this information and begin to search internet databases  in order to determine the best summer vacation for your  family based on their needs and budget.  

Each student will create a brochure publication using Microsoft PowerPoint or Microsoft Word with three vacation options for their families to consider. 

1. The brochure should include photos, places to stay, places to eat, places to go, historical facts, demographics and anything else of interest to a prospective traveler.
   
2. Creative and persuasive writing should be used. 
3. The brochure should include estimated costs for destinations.  
   
4. The brochures must appeal to elementary school children, teenagers, and their parents.
5. The tours and activities should be suitable for adults, young children and teenagers and the destinations selected must meet the family’s budget.
   
6. Special backgrounds and graphics to support and enhance the vacation theme are suggested.
   

Each student will complete the Presentation Student Evaluation to evaluate the effectiveness of their classmates presentation of the final product.