The Game of Life

This activity is completely EDITABLE to fit your student's needs. All documents were created using google slides, the most teacher-friendly tool used to create student worksheets and slideshows.

"THE GAME OF LIFE" idea may have come from the old school kids' board game BUT I reinvented it to use in my HIGH SCHOOL classroom, including some students with learning disabilities. This game will take students through a series of real-life experiences that occur over FIVE YEARS while teaching them how to budget and make real-life decisions.

RESOURCES INCLUDE:

-STUDENT WORKSHEET -- includes step-by-step instructions on how to calculate monthly take-home pay. **Link to a website that included career median salaries & 2022 tax rates are also included

-MY BUDGET SHEET -- Excel Spreadsheet that calculates the student's income and expenses for 5 years. Each tab at the bottom of the spreadsheet represents a different year. The balance in the student's account from year to year is calculated for them by averaging their monthly savings x 12 months.

-CHANGE IN CAREER OR SALARY WORKSHEET -- Throughout the game, the student may lose their job or receive a salary increase/decrease. Students will need this worksheet to re-calculate their new monthly "take-home" pay. (This worksheet is very easy to follow. It breaks it down for them step-by-step)

-SLIDESHOW PRESENTATION -- This presentation can be used to walk the students through the game, step-by-step. You may also choose to print out the "Monthly Expenses" worksheet and allow students to work in groups to play the game.

--SPIN THE WHEEL -- This feature is linked to different slides in the slideshow presentation. It makes the game!! Each created on wheelofnames.com and customized to fit the theme. Students can take turns spinning the wheel as it plays music and surprises them with whatever "LIFE UPDATE" the wheel lands on. Each life update comes with either an INCOME or an EXPENSE.

HOW TO WIN: Each student begins the game with $10,000 in their savings account. The student with the most money in their savings account at the end of the game wins!