Online Catalog
Consumer Education Projects
Your job is to become an expert on one of the following topics and then teach the important ideas about it to the class. Your final grades in the class and your consumer education credit depend on your project, your presentation and a final exam.
Topics:
“Why am I broke all the time?” How and why to do a personal budget.
“What security deposit?” How to rent an apartment.
“Pay myself first? What the…?” The how and why of savings.
“As seen on TV.” The power of advertising.
“The story of stuff.” How do my buying habits affect the world?
“Scams, spam and getting slammed.” How to avoid getting ripped off online and in the real world.
“I wish my parents were rich.” How to pay for college and not get buried in debt.”
“But I thought I was making 10 bucks an hour!” What to expect from wages. Where does all the money go from your paycheck?
“Pay the man.” How to do your taxes.
“Oh Lord, won’t ya buy me a Mercedes Benz.” How to buy cars and other expensive stuff. (or just take the train)
“A cheeseburger costs $487.63?” How to avoid credit card debt.
“If it seems too good to be true...” How bad consumer decisions contributed to the recent financial crisis.
If you already have Consumer Ed credit you can work on one of the above projects, or do a project which applies psychology to consumer behavior. You must give me a written proposal about your original topic so I can approve it.
Products:
Each team must create:
* A one-page handout with key ideas which will be printed and distributed. (10pts)
* An activity so students can practice using the information. This can be a worksheet, a game, an online activity or some other learning tool. (10pts)
* A 10 question multiple choice quiz on your topic. (10pts)
In addition to the above, each team must present their information to the class through a PowerPoint presentation, a video, a website or other product (20pts). The presentation should be 10 minutes long and the activity should take 5 minutes.
Here are links to resources for our Consumer Education unit.
1 - Why am I broke all the time?
http://www.myliferoi.com/2009/10/budgeting-worksheet-for-teens/ http://www.themint.org/teens/tracking.html http://www.themint.org/teens/determine-your-budget.html http://www.atg.wa.gov/teenconsumer/finances/budgets.htm http://www.dinkytown.net/java/HomeBudget.html
2 - What security deposit?
http://www.atg.wa.gov/teenconsumer/on_your_own.htm http://www.tenant.org/ http://www.mytwodollars.com/2008/01/16/a-few-tips-for-first-time-apartment-renters/ http://ezinearticles.com/?Leasing-Planning-for-First-time-Apartment-Rental-Expenses&id=625503 http://data.cmap.illinois.gov/chicagoareahousing.org//Allinfo.asp?audience=r
3 - Pay myself first?
http://www.fool.com/how-to-invest/thirteen-steps/step-1-change-your-life-with-one-calculation.aspx?source=ii1sitlnk0000001 http://www.themint.org/teens/saving.html http://www.themint.org/teens/compounding-calculator.html
4 - As seen on TV:
http://pbskids.org/dontbuyit/ http://www.icbs.com/kb/marketing/kb_marketing-psychological-tricks-in-selling.htm http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~taflinge/words.html http://www.factcheck.org/ http://www.cracked.com/article_15768_as-seen-on-tv-10-most-laughably-misleading-ads.html
5 - The story of stuff.
http://www.storyofstuff.com/ http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2010/03/how_much_does_a_pair_of_jeans.html
6 - Scams, spam and getting slammed:
http://www.snopes.com/ http://www.atg.wa.gov/teenconsumer/buying_goods_and_services.htm http://chicago.bbb.org/consumers/
7 - I wish my parents were rich!
http://www.atg.wa.gov/teenconsumer/finances/financing_college.htm http://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/ http://apps.collegeboard.com/fincalc/ep/wizard-home.jsp
9 - Pay the man.
http://www.freefile.irs.gov/ http://www.helium.com/items/159765-income-tax-tips-for-first-time-filers-the-w-2-your-first-step http://www.bankrate.com/brm/itax/news/20040130a1.asp http://www.irs.gov/ http://www.wallstats.com/deathandtaxes/
10 - Won't ya buy me a Mercedes Benz..
http://www.themint.org/teens/spending.html http://www.atg.wa.gov/teenconsumer/buying_goods_and_services.htm http://www.atg.wa.gov/teenconsumer/transportation.htm
11 - A cheeseburger costs $487.63!
12 - If it seems too good to be true...
http://baselinescenario.com/financial-crisis-for-beginners/ http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2008/12/whats_causing_the_crisis.html http://socyberty.com/economics/the-financial-crisis-for-dummies/ http://www.dosomething.org/blog/chatterbox/financial-crisis-teen-are-feeling-pinch-too
In addition to the above, each team must present their information to the class through a PowerPoint presentation, a video, a website or other product (20pts). The presentation should be 10 minutes long and the activity should take 5 minutes.
Thanks to - http://cantorsappsychologyblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/consumer-education-unit-presentations.html
