Title: I Could Live Like That

Overview & Outcomes:

Having examined that socio-economic indicators in First World often are not Third World concerns in Foundations/Awareness Lesson 8, in this lesson students will be given practical experience in exercising the options our society affords. That is, this lesson simulates the decision-making process involved in selecting a lifestyle. Later in the Investigations section, Investigations Lesson 13, students can determine the impact of their chosen lifestyle in terms of the CO2 emissions. In Foundations/Awareness Lesson 10, The Lorax is used to examine the concepts of needs, wants and tradeoffs as these are associated with technology by members of society.

This lesson helps students:

• Identify the occupation in which they wish to engage as an adult and estimate their annual income from that occupation.
• Select an apartment and necessary household furnishings and calculate their other household expenses such as food, clothing, insurance, and transportation.
• Total these amounts and compare the total to their anticipated annual salary.

The concept map found in Foundations/Awareness Lesson 1 shows model relationships among concepts Foundations/Awareness Lessons 1 through 7 plus 9 and 10 seek to develop.

Background Notes for the Teacher:

Content. This activity focuses on the decision-making skills required in everyday life; specifically, living within one's means.

Integration. This activity could readily be implemented in a Math or Life Skills class.

Materials:

For class.

1. Newspapers, catalogues, sale fliers, insurance brochures, investment brochures.
2. Calculators.

For each student.

1. LIFESTYLES IDENTIFICATION WORKSHEET.

Preparation:

Several days prior to this lesson, begin collecting the materials listed above. This may require contacting bankers, insurance agents, and investment brokers.

Reproduce the necessary number of student worksheets.

Instructional Procedures: (3 Days, 40 minutes each)

Day 1. (40 minutes)

1. Give each student a LIFESTYLES WORKSHEET. Instruct students to identify an occupation at which they would like to work as an adult and identify their beginning annual salary (see attached salary list). This information should be recorded at the top of each worksheet.
2. Utilizing the classified ads from the newspapers you have provided, students will select an apartment. Some of your students may decide to share housing costs with a roommate(s). This is acceptable.
3. Once housing has been selected, students should then make a list of the household furnishings they will require. Remind students that household furnishings include such items as dishes, linens, cooking utensils, etc.

Day 2. (40 minutes)

1. Utilizing the classified ads, catalogues, and brochures provided, have students calculate the cost of their household furnishings, household expenses, and other living costs for their first year of employment. Your input may be needed in helping them estimate some household expenses.
2. Instruct students to double check their calculations in each category. It also may be helpful to have students check each other's work.

Day 3. (40 minutes)

1. Instruct students to compare their beginning salary to their calculated expenses.
2. At this point students should make any necessary adjustments to their budget and/or make investment decisions.
3. Inform students that the lifestyle they have selected in this lesson will serve as the basis for a lesson on CO2 production in the Investigations phase of the unit.
4. Collect student LIFESTYLES WORKSHEETS for evaluation and/or filing for use in Investigations Lesson 13.

Assessment/Portfolio Items:

In addition to the student worksheet, the following items may be included.

Journal Entry.

1. What the world is like 100 years from now is not my problem.
2. If your becoming famous meant the destruction of a species, would that be a problem for you?
3. If you could permanently change lives with someone, who would it be and why?

Resource for determining occupations not listed above: Occupational Outlook Handbook for the current year, published by U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Name _____________________________________________

Occupation _________________________________________

Annual Salary _______________________________________

(-) 30% Taxes = .30 x __________________

Actual Income After Taxes _______________

Housing Cost _________________ (per year)

Household Furnishings _________________

Household Expenses ___________________ (see below)

1. Utilities (includes electricity, gas, water, sewage, telephone, cable) __________ (per year)
2. Food __________________________ (per year)
3. Clothing _______________________ (per year)
4. Insurance ______________________
   • Auto ____________________ (per year)
   • Renters __________________ (per year)
5. Transportation
   • Public Transportation _______ (per year)
   • Car Payments _____________ (per year)
   • Fuel ____________________ (per year)

TOTAL ________________________ (enter above)

Extras

1. Entertainment ___________________
2. Vacations ______________________
3. Contributions to Charities __________
4. Others _________________________
5. TOTAL ________________________

ADD:

Housing Cost ______________________

Household Furnishings ______________________

Household Expenses ______________________

Extras ______________________

GRAND TOTAL ______________________

SUBTRACT: Find the difference between your actual salary (after taxes) and your total annual expenses.

Actual Salary (after taxes) ______________________

Total Expenses ______________________

POSITIVE/NEGATIVE AMOUNT ______________________

• If you have spent more than your first year's salary, revise your budget.
• If you have spent less than your first year's salary, you may wish to revise your budget or decide upon a savings or investment plan.

Click Here to go to Lesson 10: Do You Really, I Mean REALLY, Need a Thneed?

This unit was produced by the editors listed on the masthead.