Musolino Minutes

Curriculum Connection:
I would not use this exact project in the classroom (too personal) however; I would make modifications to use this idea of comparison shopping with an economic unit for grades 4 and 5.   The AASL standards are all so easily embedded in the inquiry process. Specifically, 1, 2 and 3. When thinking about a specific project idea, students can research a new game, television set, or fitness equipment that they are interested in buying.  We can break down a savings plan to work with allowance money as well as use store ads and online shopping to compare price quotes.  When designing a budget, I love to introduce excel and some basic spreadsheet functions like adding the dollar amounts in a specific column.
Final products ideas are PowerPoint presentations to share findings with the class, create a glog poster sharing researched results, and/or creating a MS publisher brochure.  To match the 4^th grade global connection standard, 4.4.5, students can research where the product is made and how it is imported to the United States.  The possibilities are endless. Below are the Indiana Social Studies Standards for grades 4 and 5 that would apply.

       5.4

• Students will describe the productive resources and market relationships that influence the way people produce goods and services and earn a living in the United States in different historical periods.
• 5.4.7
• Predict the effect of changes in supply and demand on price. (Core Standard)  
• 5.4.9
• Identify the elements of a personal budget and explain why personal spending and saving decisions are important.
• 4.4.4
• Explain that prices change as a result of changes in supply and demand for specific products
• 4.4.5
• Describe Indiana’s emerging global connections.
• 4.4.8
• Define profit and describe how profit is an incentive for entrepreneurs
• .4.10
• Explain how people save, and develop a savings plan in order to make a future purchase

Wishing/ Personal Connection:

Like I mentioned in the earlier post, I am pleased with my overall learning.  This process helped me to refine my search strategies and to look at reliability of my sources.  I liked the fact that with this search, I could use sites that were straight from the manufacturer to get ideas and background knowledge before I ventured out.  That being said, the forums on many car sites helped me to negotiate a fair lease price!  The Edmunds site was amazing!  I highly recommend it for car shoppers. I expanded my horizons by looking at car trader site and lease trader sites as well.  I may never use their services, but at least I know a little more about them.

When students come into my media center, I need to remember that their background knowledge differs.  This is the main obstacle when matching students with research and materials.  I need to continue to work on the student centered reference interview to capitalize on their strengths and help them build on a weakness. 

My personal approach to inquiry is a mix of several models (Lamb, IS, REACTS, Big6, etc).  However, I find myself concentrating on the major components:  Questioning, Exploring, Assimilation, and Inference.  I find myself stronger in the first two than the last two (just like my students).  My scope of research and methods remain consistent.  That tells me how important it is to set up a strong inquiry foundation in our young learners no matter what kind of learner/student they are.

Waving:

I am planning a PowerPoint for my final communication.  I like the set up that MS PowerPoint offers as well as the options to enhance the final presentation.  When working with my 3-5 graders, PowerPoint is a great tool to help guide their presentations (same is true for adults). I will include the comparisons of 3 vehicles and where I stand in the decision-making process.  The final project will be keep private and used mainly for my husband and me to help organize the research and guide our final decision.  I am not sure many people outside of the classmates and family members that would want to read the final presentation- unless they were looking for the same type of cars. However, if I decide to make my blog public, it would be interesting to see what type of comments I could receive (wouldn’t it be great if a salesman commented with a lower offer!) Overall, I think my inquiry process was very similar to the process my students’ take- there were bumps along the road and my questions keep evolving, but I am pleased with all the new information I gained from the experience.  If my students have this same type of reflection at the end of a project, I believe it to be quite successful.

As I’m working on my Power Point, I realize it’s time to post my technology requirement checklist.  In my blog and throughout the inquiry process, I used the following four technology tools:

1.  Concept Map–I decided to use mywebinspiration site to create my map.  Please refer to the link on the left.

2.  Social Bookmarks–I use Delicious.com at work to bookmark my school related sites and to easily share links with my colleagues. Again, please refer to the link on the left.

4.  Electronic Communication Tool– As I discussed in my email communication post, I was in contact with two salesmen to negotiate the car price.

5.  Productivity Tool–I used a digital camera to take pictures when I went to test drive my choices and posted them to the blog (see below). I plan to use Microsoft Power Point for my final product.

Email Correspondence:

Today, I heard back from the salesman we are working with at the Infiniti dealership.  I emailed him on the lease price that he quoted me (around $823 a month).  Here’s the thing, I went on to Edmunds.com (visit my link in Delicious) to compare other deals that are now available and I stumbled on the forum section of this site.  It was a very useful link! I was able to view and respond to current postings about prices. Two of the offers for the same vehicle (minus the upgrade rims and tires that I would like) were in the $600’s.  Pretty far from where I am at ($823).  Through these forums, I also learned about a $2,000 lease loyalty rebate (one I would like them to still offer me), higher residual values (why wouldn’t I get that with tier one credit?) and adjusted sales prices.  So, I copied and pasted the information in an email to my contact at the dealership- needless to say I went from $823 a month to the final email that came in this afternoon at $660 including tax and the upgraded tires…. Let the negotiation games begin- I am starting to feel successful!  So, I am going to apply this email/Edmund forum strategy with the Mercedes.  Let’s see what happens….

Weaving and Wrapping:

As I processed my findings while creating a concept map, I really started to think about my process and where I am heading next.  As I made comparisons (evaluating all the information  for accuracy and authority)between the final choices, I realized how similar the cars really are.  So I really can’t go wrong. My file of paperwork from the dealerships with the cars information and prices came in handy when I went back to process the final pros and cons lists. It was also essential that the salesmen I was working with at each dealership offered a business card that I could attach to the car information sheet.  That way I could call and contact them by email for follow up when needed.   Car shopping for me has been very time consuming- online research, test drives, dealer rebates, etc. But now that the leg work is coming to an end- it has to come down to a final question- what car do I like the best?  The financing, lease vs. buy, isn’t really the issue anymore- regardless, I will have a car payment, something I am accustomed to already paying so I need to follow my heart and get what I like.  So that being said- I really like the Mercedes. It has a lot of room- great interior- hands free phone (a must) and drives really well.  I will feel safe in the winter and be able to crack the moon roof on a nice summer day.

At this stage in my process- I am confident in the information I have gathered.   My questions were answered and I do not feel a need to go back and ask more.  The same is true for our students when researching, with each new investigation, students are asked to refine their inquiry practices and seek new ways to enhance their learning experience.

So my big ah ha moment needs to be coming soon- a final product? Well, as I contemplate ideas, I am leaning toward a two column comparison chart using a website like Edmunds to see the bottom line.

Webbing:

Location of materials:  We’ll of course I did as much research as I could at home before I even ventured to the dealerships (salesmen freak me out).  Nothing spectacular to report about my search practice, it entailed simple searches using Google by typing in the car name and model. The direct manufacturer sites had the most useful information and pictures.  I think it is amazing how you can customize the options, see the finished project and breakdown in price all with one click of the mouse! Technology is amazing! I found that I needed to center my search practice on price because many of the dealerships I am visiting own the only specific dealership in the area (such as, Range Rover- Tom Wood). I don’t have an option to wheel and dean between dealerships.  Another site that I found useful in my comparison shopping was Edmunds.  Edmunds offers car buying price guides, car comparisons, advice, car ratings, values, leasing questions and more. Most importantly, Edmunds offered customer testimonial and listed the price they just paid for the exact same car (MSRP)!  It has to be the car dealer’s worst nightmare.

Step 2 of my research process had to be visiting the car lots and seeing the choices up close and personal.  I took pictures and videos on my flip cam- since I can’t remember anything the older I get. And I have to say the salesmen were professional and offered practical information about all the cars I am researching. Yesterday, I visited 3 more local dealerships to finish my list of test drives.  I was impressed with the Infiniti FX 35.  I didn’t think I even liked the exterior, but when I sat in the car- I was blown away. The navigation had voice activated functions that were amazing- leaps and bounds above the competition. The hard drive can load over 3,000 songs from all your CD’s as well as incorporate all the songs on my IPOD. The lease on this vehicle came in higher than I hoped- however, after looking at comps on Edmunds, I know I have room to negotiate when my current lease is in the final month. I plan to email the salesman this week to get more information on the programs for February- since everything change month to month in the leasing game. After I left the Infiniti dealership, we headed to Lockhart Cadillac in Indy.  Here I was interested in driving the 2010 SRX.  They had one on the lot with the premium package loaded with a turbo engine upgrade.  (See picture).  After the test drive- I would hate to see the non turbo version of this car- it was SLOW!  Oh well- GM discount- let’s see what my brother in law’s connection has to offer!  When the salesman returned to the desk with a lease price that came in higher than the Mercedes ML 350- I am now fully aware first hand of why GM is struggling! They did offer 2 lease programs one through GMAC (the company I have leased with for the last 5 years and 2 vehicles) and one through US Bank- they differed in price by forty dollars per month (that’s my gas for 2 weeks!).  Both prices were not even something I would consider and the GM family discount was not even close to what it used to be, especially on the newer, popular cars.  

Then we visited the Audi dealership, and just like Volkswagen they did not have the 2010 Q7 model even on the lot!  How in the world can I tell if I want the car if there is nothing to see and drive?  Disappointment number 2 for the day.  I am hungry, tired and sick of  talking, next stop- lunch.

Wiggling:

Today, I decided the next step was rating the cars on a one to five scale, with five being the highest.  I felt the need to organize my findings and come up with a rating system to help me make my final decision. At this stage I am thinking about the Research Cycle (McKenzie) and comparing my progress here to the planning and gathering stage of this model. When working with students, this seems to be the area they struggle most. How do educators help prevent the massive amounts of information from not being organized in a useful way? When working with younger students, I love the use of a file folder with library pockets to organize the notecards by topics. It seems to help the students keep all their information handy. For me I chose a  two pocket folder to store quotes and MSRP sheets as well as business cards for later reference. It was also easy to use a bookmarking site like Delicious to organize my online search path. Please refer to that link to view my Delicious bookmarks.
Anyway, here are my thoughts: 

Mercedes ML 550 Number 5 (certified pre-owned deal- why not buy instead of pay these horrible lease prices?)

Infiniti FX 35 Number 4 (Still need to work on that final lease price- need to negotiate).

Number 3 and 2:  Industry based:  Buick Enclave, GMC Terrain, I need to price them out- just to compare.

Range Rover Number 1:  However- only because of budget and my joy of vacationing, shopping and eating out- you all hear me, I’m sure.

Cadillac SRX Number 1:  Lease was too high for the quality of the car. (But, the pictures looked good:))

Wondering:

This week as I began to develop a game plan to start this search, the main question that keeps me up at night is, should I buy or lease.  Currently I drive a Saab 2008 9.7 SUV and I really like my car.  I had a 27 month GMAC lease and I got a great deal (my brother in law works at GM so my lease payment is amazing for a $55,000 car).  My Saab is fully loaded and I added custom running boards. When I leased the car I thought a two year lease would be cool- another new ride in two years, but as the economy and car industry has taken a turn for the worse, I am now wishing I would have signed on for 3 years instead.  Oh if only I could foresee the future, ha:) . 

I have always leased a GM car of some sort because of the employee discount.  However, as of January 4^th, GM announced that the employee discounts have been reduced, so I would not get the amount off that I have been used to.  With this news, I am ready to look outside of the GM family and expand my search (not the best idea when I only have two payments left and fear they will be knocking at my door soon to take it away!).  The cars we (my husband really) are interested in are 1.  The Mercedes ML 550, 2.  Audi Q7, 3. Cadillac SRX Crossover (GM discount would apply here), BMW X-5, 4. The GMC Terrain, 5. Volkswagen Touareg, and lastly my dream car……drum roll…… THE RANGE ROVER Sport HSE (NO way this will ever happen- but a girl can dream:)).

Saturday was my very first try and drive day out at the dealerships.  We went to the Mercedes dealership first to price out the lease on the ML 350 and the ML 550 (not much difference except for the engine- the faster the better for me).  The lease was a 36 month that priced around $800 a month (way too high- it priced out last month at $690 for the same car).  That’s the game I hate with leasing- the quotes change from month to month and you have to take a gamble, do you pay two car payments for a month or two for a better deal? These are the burning questions.  Then, the salesman began to tell us about a deal- the ML 550 (not on the lot) the owner’s wife is currently driving it for the winter- certified pre-owned deal….. huh?  I never bought a used car so I am interested in what he has to say.  To sum it up- 13,000 off the price of the car- 5 years for financing, money down, looking around the same payment of the lease and it’s the top of line 550 instead of the 350.  Now my wheels are turning (the ones in my head and not on the Mercedes just yet:)).  My husband reminds me it is our only our first stop… I need to play the field.

Next stop the Range Rover dealership- why oh why am I doing it to myself- I know I love the car.  So I see the one for me- JUST IN-RR Sport HSE black on black (with impeccable white stitching on the leather seats with black lacquer wood grain trim).  I sit in the car and just love the rugged feel of the truck; it is more comparable in size to my SUV. I take it for a quick spin and after I run the numbers in my head- I think I may have lost my mind it would double my payment now, – I am hoping my husband snaps me back to reality QUICK.

Last stop the Volkswagen dealership- no 2010 Touaregs on the lot- great, time to stop, reflect and eat some lunch (have I said how tired I get when I car shop?).

After a few hours of reflecting on my day, I think my project will look at the price break downs of the vehicles as well as the car I like to drive.  Then I may produce some sort of video using a flip camera and media tool like PowerPoint to share my final findings.  Any ideas out there from my fellow classmates?

Well, as I begin to search and discover- I am positive that I want to break away from my usual reasearch “comfort zone” and explore a topic that is meaningful to me at this time in my life. 

*One of the first ideas that comes to mind is the need to begin car hunting!  My lease is up in 2 payments and I am beginning to hit panic mode.  I am a fan of the lease and in today’s economy, many banks and dealerships are not offering an option to lease.  So my research needs to center around finding a new vehicle that I like, determining what finance options are available that best suit our needs, and lastly being ready to go into the dealerships to “wheel and deal.”

*Next, I need to get serious about planning our annual Spring Break trip!  We are always going back to the same place (Cancun, Mexico) and maybe  it’s time to explore somewhere new. I’d like to get something booked before the flights become super expensive.  

As I read this post out loud to my husband- he has decided to take on option number 2 and I am left to find a new ride.  Well, let the fun begin. 

The next time you hear back from me I hope to have selected a few cars that will become must sees and must drives. 

Stay tuned….

~dawn