Grades 5-8:

“My Mathematical Life”

Grades 5-8 have been introduced to this new program that allows them to become a student that has just graduated from college. They are going to begin living their adult life with their Aunt Hilda. During this life-game they will need to make life decisions from college until retirement with Math involved in each decision. Some of these decisions will include whether to purchase or rent a house or an apartment. Each will have to decide what type of car to purchase and what types of car insurance, health, and home owners insurance they will need. They will need to budget their money each month to make the necessary purchases. They will also need to budget their time thoughtfully to achieve all of the activities that are appropriate for whatever character they have chosen. Their success will be measured by how well they maintain their health, happiness, and monetary levels.

At the beginning of the simulation, each student selects a character that they want to be and a name for that character. They go on to select four personality traits that define that character’s interests. Once this is chosen, each student determines a career for their character. They go into the “Bureau of Job Statistics” to see how different careers compare in terms of education costs, salary, and average weekly hours. Once they have found a career that will suit their character, they are given the loan amount from the their college years. They will be responsible for repaying this loan during the course of the simulation.

Ask your student what choices they’ve made and how well they are budgeting their salary each month. Some have found that buying too many things has “stalled” life from advancing month to month.