In keeping with our Tennessee theme this week, we learned a little something about Nashville's iconic and quirky baseball stadium, Sulphur Dell. We began by reading a ReadWorks article called A Funny Old Ball Park. If you've never learned about Sulphur Dell, you should read about what makes it so special-- or ask one of these kiddos!
(Teacher friends, if you haven't signed up for a free subscription to ReadWorks, I highly recommend it. It is an excellent source for reading passages, leveled by Lexile, and accompanied by quality comprehension questions.)
(Teacher friends, if you haven't signed up for a free subscription to ReadWorks, I highly recommend it. It is an excellent source for reading passages, leveled by Lexile, and accompanied by quality comprehension questions.)
Next, we watched a YouTube video that provided primary source evidence to help us better envision Sulphur Dell. After that, the students had fallen in love with the funny field and were horrified that it wasn't preserved for its historical significance. I love how these kids get passionate about the things we learn!
After doing our background research, we practiced some subtraction with our design challenge. Here was their assignment:
Scenario: A $100,000 donation has been given to rebuild a new and improved Sulphur Dell in Nashville, TN. You are in charge of planning the design of the new facility. (Note: A baseball facility like this would actually be a multi-million dollar project. We are scaling it down for the purpose of math practice.)
Steps: 1. Using the prices listed below, decide whether to purchase the ‘standard’ or ‘upgraded’ version of each of the items listed. Each time you make a selection, calculate the remaining money in your budget. Spend as close to $100,000 as possible without going over.
2. Draw your facility in Notability. Be sure to include as many details as possible and everything you budgeted for. Screenshot your drawing and crop out the tool bar.
3. You will be using the Green Screen to give a tour of your facility. Be sure that your script is persuasive! You want the Nashville City Council to select your facility design!
Scenario: A $100,000 donation has been given to rebuild a new and improved Sulphur Dell in Nashville, TN. You are in charge of planning the design of the new facility. (Note: A baseball facility like this would actually be a multi-million dollar project. We are scaling it down for the purpose of math practice.)
Steps: 1. Using the prices listed below, decide whether to purchase the ‘standard’ or ‘upgraded’ version of each of the items listed. Each time you make a selection, calculate the remaining money in your budget. Spend as close to $100,000 as possible without going over.
2. Draw your facility in Notability. Be sure to include as many details as possible and everything you budgeted for. Screenshot your drawing and crop out the tool bar.
3. You will be using the Green Screen to give a tour of your facility. Be sure that your script is persuasive! You want the Nashville City Council to select your facility design!
If you would like to do this activity with your class, click here for the assignment!
The students had to calculate their balance for each line item on scrap paper, check it against their partner's, and then check it with a calculator. Here's an example of what the students' budget sheets looked like:
The students had to calculate their balance for each line item on scrap paper, check it against their partner's, and then check it with a calculator. Here's an example of what the students' budget sheets looked like:
After budgeting, the students drew their designs.
Finally, they used the green screen to give a video tour of their baseball facility design. This gave them the opportunity to "pitch" their ideas, convincing Nashville's City Council to use their design.
Check out these kiddos standing inside their baseball facility designs!