• Printer Friendly Version

Subject

Math, Science & Technology

Lesson Objectives

Students will identify the typical costs associated with establishing and maintaining a first residence by researching the costs of furnishing a home.

Duration

30 minutes: Complete worksheet
20 minutes: Class discussion

Description

Working in groups, students will research the typical cost of establishing a first residence. When students complete this activity, they identify the approximate cost of setting up their first residence including options for minimizing costs. Students will create a collage of the items they choose.

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

• Copies of the It Costs How Much!?!? student worksheet
• Budgeting PowerPoint
• Computers with Internet access
• Copies of newspaper advertisements
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Tape, glue, or a stapler

Step-by-Step Procedure

1. Divide students into four small groups. Provide each group with a variety of newspaper advertisements, or allow students to visit online retailers.

Assign each group a specific area to focus on as follows:

• Bedroom and bathroom
• Living room and dining room
•  Kitchen and cleaning supplies
• Paper and storage products and extras


2. Distribute the handout It Costs How Much!?!? to students. Instruct students to complete the handout for their assigned areas and to create a one-page collage of the items and their prices. Include a grand total cost for the area.
3. Debrief as a class by adding up the costs of the items as a class. You may want to create an overhead to write in the costs of items. Discuss ways to minimize costs.

Related Content

• A Place to Hang Your Hat
• Budget Basics
• Surviving or Thriving with Roommates
• TV Roommates
• Rental Agreement Lingo
• Surviving Solo
• Reality Check

End of Unit Assessment

Students can take the vocabulary and concept quizzes via pen and paper.

Downloads:

• Independent Living Vocab Quiz
• Independent Living Concept Quiz

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.

Website(s)

• Consumer Jungle -http://www.consumerjungle.org

Related Academic Standards

New York State

HPF.FC.C.2.1.C Students understand essential requirements for selecting and maintaining a home.

HPF.FC.C.3.1.A Students analyze a wide range of factors related to managing personal resources to balance obligations to work, family, and self.

HPF.FC.C.3.1.B Students understand the basics of an individual/family budget and plan to obtain, use, and protect money and assets.

WST.9-10.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products, taking advantage of technology's capacity to link to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically.

WST.11-12.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products in response to ongoing feedback, including new arguments or information.

View All