Lesson Plan
7
Surviving or Thriving with Roommates by Consumer Jungle
Grade Levels
Commencement, 9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade
Lesson Objectives
Students will identify strategies for living compatibly with roommates by creating a sample agreement.
Duration
50 minutes: Entire activity
Description
Students often don't anticipate common difficulties in living with roommates. They often select close friends, who may or may not be compatible on a day-to-day basis. As a result, unpleasant and sometimes costly problems arise. Students can avoid many of these issues by choosing a roommate wisely, and then developing a roommate agreement in advance.
Students will identify criteria for selecting a compatible roommate, and
create guidelines for living together effectively in a roommate
agreement.
This lesson is one part of a larger unit, Independent Living. While completing this unit, students will learn about: landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities; deciphering rental and leasing agreements; costs of establishing a first residence; benefits of budgeting; major categories of living expenses; surviving and thriving with roommates.
Consumer Jungle units are designed to be flexible, and can be used as one integrated unit or individual segments. If you are planning to use the unit in its entirety, please see the Related Content field for the additional lessons. The End of Unit Assessment field contains links to the vocabulary, concept, and content quizzes for the unit.
Materials
Step-by-Step Procedure
- As a group, brainstorm responses to the following question and record the responses on a flipchart or overhead transparency: What factors should I consider when selecting a roommate?
- Distribute the student handout Roommate Agreements. Compare the brainstorming responses to the factors outlined in the student handout and discuss any differences.
- Discuss the concept of a roommate agreement, emphasizing the importance of clearly identifying roles and responsibilities in advance.
- Divide students into pairs. Instruct students to draft a roommate agreement using the student worksheet as a guide.
- Debrief as a class by reviewing responses to the following questions:
- What sections of the agreement were the most difficult to write? Why?
- Were there sections you weren't able to agree on? If so, which ones and why?
- If you and your partner were really moving in together, do you think you would be compatible? Why or why not?
Related Content
End of Unit Assessment
Students can take the vocabulary and concept quizzes via pen and paper.
Downloads:
Content Provider
Consumer Jungle is dedicated to providing young adults with the life skills they need to become responsible, informed consumers. Consumer Jungle provides engaging and relevant consumer education curricula covering a variety of topics such as credit cards, transportation, living on your own, personal finances, telecommunications, health, and e-commerce fraud. Developed with input from teachers, students, and parents, Consumer Jungle delivers interactive games, activities, and relevant information directly to the home or classroom.
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