OCS+Math

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OCS Math: The Game of Life
While listening to NPR I heard a teacher describe how he taught financial management skills to his 6th grade class by paying his students imaginary money for how well they did in class and by allowing them to use that money to buy/rent desks and other privileges. Copying and continually refining this idea, I have created the "game of life" to help my OCS students learn important financial management skills.

In this game, the students get to envision how their life will play out for the next forty years after they graduate high school. Each week in class they learn about different financial concepts and consumer shopping skills, and then they use what they just learned to make decisions for the game. At the end of the semester, I give the student who has the highest combination of net worth and happiness $25.

This year I have been converting my game of life lessons into online activities. Here are some of the activities that the students have already completed that use technology:

Weekly Grocery Shopping Budget: (Google Documents) [|http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AuN1AdHYHWsbdHlJd0xwYWptTFl6U2haX19qSEF5N1E&hl=en] After learning about Nutrition and Balanced Meals in my Occupational Science Class the students used Microsoft Paint to create a Food Pyramid Picture. Then they created a 7 day meal plan on a Google Documents Spreadsheet. Next the students listed all the ingredients that they would need to make those meals, and then listed the cost of each ingredient using a teacher made grocery store circular. As the students filled out the spreadsheet, I was able to give them frequent feedback to correct spelling, double check the cost of items, or add forgotten ingredients. I designed the grocery store circular to let the students grapple with determining the best deal. For example, is it better to buy a 12 oz can of tomatoes for $0.99 or a 16 oz can for $1.29, or is a buy one get one free combo, bette than a coupon for $1.00 off of a name brand item. Next year, however, I plan on having the students use online grocery store circulars to find the cost of their items).

Vehicle Unit : (internet and Microsoft word) The students used the internet to research the cost and estimated MPG of various makes and models of cars. Then each created a document about the make, model and age of the car(s) they would like to have for the game. They also used the internet to

Clothing Unit: (internet and Microsoft Word) Each student created a list of clothes that they would like to have as an adult. Then the students used the internet to determine what it would cost to buy those clothes. Students also wrote about ways they could make their clothes last longer as well as ways to save money when purchasing clothes.

Housing: (internet and Microsoft word) Students searched on-line for real estate deals within 50 miles that they would be interested in either buying or renting. Students then role played negotiating with the seller/landlord. Students who bought a house got to choose from several different financial offers (10% down payment, 30 year loan, 7% interest or 0% down payment, 30 year loan, 12% interest). Students created a document showcasing their chosen house. They also researched housing or renters insurance, and used an online amortization calculator to determine monthly costs.

Vacations: (gaggle account, homework drop boxes, internet, Google Maps, and Microsoft word) Students used the internet, including Google Maps to research the cost and logistics of going on 40 different vacations. They had to determine all the lodging, transportation, eating, and entertainment costs. Vacations could be as simple as going to a relative's house for a weekend or as elaborate as a first class, two week cruises to Rome. This was also the first lesson that the students used their gaggle account to turn their assignments into a homework drop box.

Currently the students are compiling all their financial data from previous units and putting it into a Numbers Spreadsheet, that I sent to them via their gaggle accounts.

Objectives


 * OCS Math I Goal 2:** The learner will demonstrate an understanding of financial management skills necessary for independent living and employment.


 * OCS Math II, Goal 4**: The learner will demonstrate an understanding of mathematics skills needed for independent living.


 * OCS Math III, Goal 2:** The learner will apply basic skills to financial management problems for independent living and employment