Million Dollar Project

The Million Dollar Project began as a math project. Its purpose was to give students a “real” experience with the concept of a million and to reinforce how to make fractions into decimals and decimals into percent and, to make a pie chart (graph) showing the percentages spent on each major category of expenses. It has since evolved into not only a math project, but social studies and Jewish values as a tsedakkah project. In addition, it has also evolved as a way to learn computer skills such as how to make a spread sheet, make an advertisement, design titles and find information. It deserves its name because it integrates so many skills and develops many important concepts.  The fifth grade students have been introduced to this project which will be our theme for most of our computer lab sessions during the year. They have been shown projects done by students in past years and, I will continue to give them samples of work for every aspect of this project. Most of the work will be done at school, either in class or during computer lab periods.

       The first assignment, which will be due October 3, is a written proposal explaining what they would like to do for their Million Dollar Project. I have given each student two examples of written descriptions done by two former fifth graders.   The assignment is to write one paragraph explaining and describing the project you would like to create with the million dollars. Keep in mind that it must be something which benefits a community, a group of people, the world, the environment, etc.  Some examples of the past have been: a cooking school and restaurant for the homeless, a summer camp teaching Vietnamese culture, a mobile mammography clinic to poor neighborhoods, an after school tutoring and computer learning center, an animal rescue after natural disasters, etc.  And, write a second paragraph telling why you think this is an important project and why you personally would like to do it.   It would be convenient if this write-up would be typed, double spaced so that it can be developed easily for later use in writing a final description.   Every student should have brought home the two pages with the sample proposals. I’ve encouraged students to talk to their families and older friends about ideas. This will help each child to think about the kind of issues that exist in the world that might need their help and that of a million dollar funding. I encourage parents to see this project as a vehicle for growth for your child not only scholastically, but also with regards to fulfilling the Jewish idea of repairing the world.