Sit and Get Don't Grow Dendrites

This was title was inspired by a workshop that I attended featuring Marsha Tate. Many things were discussed to improved the nature of learning in the classroom. One of these was games. So, I adapted some that I do in class for the teaching of financial literacy.

Title:	Budget Juggle
Subject Area(s):	Finance
This is an activity used to introduce the benefits of using a budget. Materials required: Each group will need six balls of equal size and six balls of varying sizes. Here’s how it works: Divide students into groups of 8-12 and arrange each group in a circle. Establish a pattern of throwing a ball across the circle. Example: Jane to Bill, Bill to John, John to Jeff, etc. Students need to remember who they are receiving from and throwing to. To Play: T o begin round 1, students begin a pattern of throwing balls. The teacher gradually adds balls until three balls of equal size are circulating among each group. Let students throw the balls until they are familiar with the established pattern.   Stop and collect the balls Round 2 begins in the same way as round 1, but the teacher continues to add balls of varying sizes until all 12 balls are being thrown. The teacher can anticipate chaos with people dropping the balls and balls hitting each other. Encourage students to try and maintain their established pattern. Debrief: If the balls are an analogy for bill, what can we draw (metaphor) The balls represent bills. When we follow a budget and know what money is coming and going, the pattern is smooth.  However, if we do not follow a budget, big bills and little unexpected bills, sometimes hit us in the face and can run our lives amuck. Additional probable connections students will make: Each round is like one month. Some months are smooth and other months, it is hard to make ends meet. Example: Balls that collide can represent a car accident or unexpected doctor bills. Students are great at making their own connections with the analogy. Life is full of obstacles. Some people allow obstacles to prevent them from succeeding. Others keep running into the obstacles. What are the obstacles in your life that you must recognize and then avoid or plan for? We go through life trying to avoid obstacles. But, what do you do when encounter a financial obstacle, how do you deal with it?  Is it difficult to accept help? (why/why not).