Living Bay Online Curriculum

All download files are in Microsoft Word format.

Part 1 - Through a simulation students examine the economic issues raised in the collection, bartering, selling, buying, and movement of oysters through a miniature oyster industry.

Part 2 - By developing pictorial understandings and building an algorithm, students solve percent and interest earning problems.

Integrated Summary - Students apply understanding of the oyster economy and of percent problems to compare the earnings of a waterman harvesting oysters in two different years.

Part 1 - Students learn about the impact of technological advances on the process of harvesting oysters by simulating different methods. In their reflection, they consider the both the positive and negative outcomes.

Part 2 - Understanding the percent of increase and decrease is the focus of the math. Again, the students develop pictorial understandings, then build the algorithm.

Integrated Summary - By applying percent of decrease and increase to the data collected in a repeat of the simulation, students gather data to write a composition concerning the threats posed to the oyster industry in the Chesapeake Bay by the advancement of technology in oyster harvesting methods.

Part 1 -As the demand for oysters grows, the oyster business grows. The increase in the steps and people involved in getting the oysters from the waterman who harvested them to the consumer is explored.

Part 2 - Students use the same process of developing pictorial understanding and building algorithms to learn about commission and profit.

Integrated Summary - By reviewing the original simulation, students work in teams to create mathematical models for variations.

Download these files for Lesson 8: | Big Business | Knowledge Base Questions | Runnin' Up the Price |

Part 1 - Fluctuations in supply and demand affect price. Through a simulation students explore the application of these principals to the oyster industry.

Part 2 - By studying a series of increasingly complex graphs, students learn to interpret graphical information.

Integrated Summary - From the series of graphs studied in math, students communicate their understanding of the effect of supply and demand forces on the economy.

Part 1 - Again through a simulation, students experience the difficulties in managing the oyster industry, especially as the management methods impact the waterman and his efforts to make a livelihood.

Part 2 - A balanced ecosystem is enacted with beans and a timer, then students develop the equations to express the variables and the balance.

Part 3 - Students attempt to make the changes necessary to manage an oyster industry while still maintaining the balance, demonstrated by their equations.