Spotlight on Learning - Room 11

Life - A Simulation

Term 3 has seen our Year 5/6 students in Room 11 begin a unit of work titled “Life- A Simulation”. The unit runs in line with our economics and business strand from the Australian Curriculum, as well as integrating several other learning areas.

Students begin by researching jobs via the SEEK website. Once they find an actual job, they print off the job description and begin the process of writing a matching resume and handwritten cover letter.

Interviews will come next, with the outcome of their performance determining their starting salary for the simulation. Students will need to make sure all of the relevant qualifications are listed in their resumes, as well as all the skills and experience needed to garner the job.

Once this first hurdle is passed, the real fun begins!

Students will need to make several choices on the way to budgeting for a simulated 5 years of life.

They will need to calculate their salaries once tax has been paid. They will need to work out how much they can spend on a home, either renting or obtaining a mortgage. They will need to purchase a car, either new or second hand. They will need to calculate a reasonable amount each week to spend on groceries.

They will also need to save a bit each week, because…. Accidents do happen! During the simulation, each Friday we will be randomly selecting students who unfortunately have a bit of bad luck, be it their car needing repairs or their home has been broken into, the students will need to call on their savings to cover these unforeseen costs.

Ebony- “I’m going to be a farm hand.”

Toby- “I’m hoping to be a GP in Oaklands Park.”

Emily- “I can’t wait to start my career as an Adelaide Hills Vet!”

Way to go kids! Let’s hope you all manage to budget your way to success in the game of LIFE.

Nathan Starling 

Year 5/6 Teacher - Room 11