[canis582]

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Remember the game of life? How the first spin determined your job and salary for the rest of the game? There is a similar game based on actual figures that shows how the math you take in school affects your education and job prospects in the future. You roll dice to see how much math you take in school, and then based on results move to job, college, family, etc. The whole class can play and talk about results. It is possible for example, for a high school drop out with little math skill to end up wealthy in the game but VERY unlikely. You could start class by playing this game, and locking people into different salary ranges. Then as you progress throughout the year teaching different topics (credit, housing, taxes, etc.) students can see how options differ based on various incomes.

Also, it is very important for young people to develop their voice, as well as critical thinking skills. Words like honor, integrity, honesty, trust loyalty, resposibility, and leadership are often used without students really understanding what they mean. Give students examples they can relate to and then have students work through their own definitions of these words. Have students look for examples to share with others from their own life. Put students to work writing and telling stories that are relevant to them. Anything you can do to get them thinking critically and developing their voice.

Good luck,
Joe

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GREAT idea. You can use examples in the class and compare them.

"Tommy here learned integral calculus, so he gets to drive around the suburbs and decide which $250k house he wants...Mickey never learned algebra so he is tending bar looking for a $300/month apt in the slum."

Drill it into their heads that hard work sucks now, but tending bar for a living sucks even more. (no i do not tend bars)