I've been trying to think about ways to improve my project. The one thing I want to do is find a way to use more technology. I've gotten some ideas from my blog buddies about having students create videos on interview skills and using Excel to possibly show how to create a budget based on a given salary.
I really like the video idea but I think they might get more out of planning a budget. I'm still not sure what I will do to add more technology to my project but as always I am open to more suggestions and advice.
Another reason why I am leaning towards using Excel to create a budget is because I have done similar activities in the past. For example, I have used a website, Reality Check, to let my students see how much money they will need to make a week in order to afford some of the things that they need/want in their lives. It's not a very detailed activity but it's a great starter when beginning a career unit. The kids usually enjoy it, too. I also do an Excel project in our classroom book that deals with creating a budget. I think a combination of these two activities along with a real world connection will be a great addition to the project.
Let me know what you think.
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I like the idea of the budget activity! Sounds like it flows well with the rest of the career unit you seem to have designed!
ReplyDeleteOne concern- a part of our rubric says something about willingness to take risks. I worry you'll have points taken off if you've done something similar before. Just something to think about! :)
Yea I think the budget activity will work well for you. It's always good for the students to get that experience early on, especially in middle school, before they get a job, buy a car, and such in high school.
ReplyDeleteI think you will be ok since you are modifying projects you've done before. It sounds like you are combining a few things into one big project which shows a willingness to try something new.
I like the video idea, but I agree that they will probably get more out of the budget activities. Good job, sounds like it's coming together.
I think the budget idea is a great one with excellent real world relevance. Maybe one way to include more technology could include the students taking pictures using a digital camera (or finding pics off the web) that show the objects they wish for compared to the items that they will be able to afford. For example, one kid might picture themselves living in a mansion with a hummer on a golf course right out of college. But after doing this budget, what this kid really can afford is a nice apartment in the city with a Toyota SUV or something like that. There could be a visual representation of their fantasy compared to their reality. They can see how closely and/or correctly they viewed their future. Just a thought!
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