Foreign Stamps

Grade Level : Grade 8

Materials :Calculator, paper, pencil and conversion chart.

Objectives :Student will convert the prices of stamps from U.S currency to France, Great Britian and Norway currencies.

Mathematical Concepts :Conversion, Multiplication, Ratio and Division.

NCTM Standards :
Standard 1:Mathematics as problem solving
Standard 2:Mathematics as Communication
Standard 5:Number and Number Relationships
Standard 6:Number Systems and Number Theory
Standard 7:Computation and Estimation
Standard 8:Patterns and Functions.

Procedure :
1. Students would be given a conversion chart to convert currencies.
2. Students would be given a table with the Cumulative Number of U.S postage stamps issued by a Ten-year interval by countries.
3. Students will be given a worksheet with the following questions.

a.How many stamps were issued during the years of 1948-1958?(In U.S, Norway, France and Great Britian.)
b.Who issued the most stamps between each country?
c.Write the number of stamps issued between each country in an ascending and descending order.
d.Draw line graphs of the cumulative number of postage stamps issued by the U.S, Norway, France and Great Britian. Then make a single comparison of each graph. (Hint: Look at the shapes of each graph and make your comments.)

References : Kullman, D.E (1992) "Patterns of Postage-Stamp Production" Mathematics Teacher, 85 (3), 188-89.

Contributors : Major: Shervon Monrose
Minor: Carol Marinas