Reading Level: 3-5
Interest Level: 9-12

You're On Your Own is a comprehensive consumer education curriculum with all of the elements needed to simulate living in the real world after high school. The program motivates students to apply their knowledge and skills in a role-play situation that can last for a semester or an entire year. The program includes 100 "real-life" activities that teach responsibilities and competencies that help students live independently and successfully.

The activities focus on everyday scenarios that help students develop a clear understanding of the steps they will need to take and the decisions they will need to make to set up and manage their households after finishing high school. For example, as part of the simulation, students find apartments and jobs, open bank accounts, furnish their apartments, purchase used cars, pay monthly bills, maintain budgets, manage checking and savings accounts, shop for groceries, buy new clothes, and do laundry.

Activities

For each activity, there is a teacher page and a worksheet for the students to complete. The teacher page explains what to prepare for each activity. Some teacher pages include brief mini-lessons to help introduce new topics and skills, such as calculating interest and preparing for interviews. Most activities require minimal student-teacher interaction so that students gain an understanding of truly "living on their own."

Realistic Forms

In order to make the experience as authentic as possible, realistic forms have been included. For example, students practice filling out tax forms, reading and paying monthly bills, completing credit card applications, and preparing budgets.

All the components needed for setting up the program are included:

• A Student Activities CD with reproducible PDFs of forms, worksheets, and quizzes
  • Table of Contents
  • Sample Student Activity
• A Teacher's Guide CD with instructions for setting up and managing the program, reproducible tracking charts, and an answer key
  • Table of Contents
  • Introduction
  • Research and Standards
• preprinted folder labels
• A large 18" x 22" map of Westwood (the town in the simulation)
• 2 Garcia's Grocery Store Booklets
• 2 Great Deals Discount Store Booklets
• 2 Westwood Mall Booklets
• 1 Employment Agency Booklet
• 1 Westwood Apartment Guide Booklet

Complete Kit Includes: Student Activities CD, Teacher's Guide CD, pre-printed folder labels, 1 large map, 2 Garcia's Grocery Store Booklets, 2 Great Deals Discount Store Booklets, 2 Westwood Mall Booklets, 1 Employment Agency Booklet, 1 Westwood Apartment Guide Booklet, all in a sturdy Storage Box. (©2004)