For Portfolio

Items to Include for Classroom Assignments

Assignments
Mostly
Almost
Mostly
Complete
5 pts. Each for a total of 65 Points
Complete Complete Incomplete
Link to Blog Responses

Incomplet
e

Total

T-Chart for Needs vs. Wants

Personal Spending Plan Worksheet
Picking a Bank Worksheet
T-Chart for Short/Long Term Goals
Types of Savings Worksheet
Planning for Retirement Worksheet
Power of Compounding Worksheet
Explanation of Rule 72 in your own
words
Spreadsheet with 5 different credit
card criteria
T-Chart for Debit/Credit Cards
Financial Aid Options Research
Credit Score Research
Personal Responses
Reflection of Hip Hop Culture and
Wealth
10 pts.
Journal Responses to Planning for
Retirement
10 pts.
End of Unit
15 pts.
Research Essay
Components
50 Points
At least two neighborhoods/areas
All components of data included
Grammatical and Formatting
Oral Report
Hip Hop Culuture and Wealth Questions:
1. What did you see and how did these images make you feel? What are you being persuaded to think or want?
a. As a class discuss reflections, write responses on the board
1. Note how many times material wealth is brought up.
2. How is this representation different from real world experiences?
3. How might popular culture shape our ideas about money?
4. Think back to when Russell Simmons talked about making mistakes in regard to money. Brainstorm ways to
avoid big trouble. What questions can you ask yourself to ensure you are making informed decisions?
5. Write a response to the following quote And, the same thing happens on a smaller scale to everybody. Not just
famous people
Journal Questions on Planning for Retirement
1. What is your personal definition of wealth? Do you define wealth by dollars or by possessions?

2. How do you suppose people get wealthy?

3. Have you thought about saving and planning for retirement?
End of Unit Questions:
1. What you found to be most interesting or shocking
2. What you found to be most beneficial and that you will most likely use in the future
3. What do you not see yourself using? Is it because you need more information or practice utilizing this technique?
4. Advice for someone that you think could benefit from what you have learned
Research Essay
Things to remember about the video we watched about Min Lwin:
Min Lwin discovered that even though he had obtained a good job, because he was living on his own everything cost
more. He said, So no more roommates so I cant split any of the expenses like cable and internetMin had to start
from scratch. I didnt have any furniture when I came ineverythings more expensive in the city. In this segment of
Your Life, Your Money, we heard Donald Faison and Min Lwin discuss being on their own for the first time and trying
to manage their money.
Were going to put ourselves in Mins shoes for the next few days and investigate where to live and all of the expenses
that go with finding an apartment by yourself. Remember as you do this activity, like Min, you dont have any roommates
to share expenses with. After you gather your information, youre going to put it all together in a research paper.
You should search newspapers, want ads, and free internet sites to investigate the cost of an apartment in at least two
neighborhoods/areas locally. You might also check bulletin boards in neighborhood community centers and stores that
post real estate listings. Once you have selected at least two apartments that look interesting to you, gather information
and investigate the sites thoroughly.
Data you collect should include (but is not limited to) details such as:
Rent
Typical utility costs (for example: cable or dish TV, water, electricity, heat)
Security deposits
Renters and disability insurance costs
Cell or landline phone determine monthly costs of both
If major kitchen appliances and laundry facilities are not included, cost of such appliances and their installation
Proximity to your work and/or school site how much will it cost to get to and from the apartment is it close to bus
lines? Is parking included in the rent, or is there an additional fee?
Policies regarding pets and/or children is there an extra security deposit?
After completing your research prepare a research paper, using APA or Chicago style that examines and explains both the
processes you used to reach your final decision about which apartment you can afford, as well as your actual choice.
Participants should compare the various apartments, using graphic displays such as charts and graphs, and include a wellreasoned conclusion. You will also prepare an oral report to share your information so that everyone in the group can learn
from each other.
Michelle Singletary says, You should ask yourself, is this a need or a want? She also advises us, Every penny ought
to have a purpose.
What did you find out by doing your research? Can you afford the apartments you were looking at? Do you want or need
cable TV? Is renters insurance a want or need? Would being able to walk to work be better than spending pennies on
bus fare? All participants should use their reports and peer feedback to determine if what they want is what they can
afford.