Minecraft
Preparation
Lesson Narrative
This is a mid-unit summative checkpoint. Students will demonstrate mastery of independent living calculations, including lease upfront costs, the 30% housing rule, DTI ratios, mortgage mechanics (ARMs vs Fixed, Escrow, PMI, Closing Costs), and vehicle Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
Learning Goals
• Demonstrate mastery of rental, mortgage, and vehicle ownership calculations.
• Differentiate between fixed and variable housing costs.
• Evaluate the financial dangers of high DTI and ARMs.
Student Facing Learning Goals
• Let's prove we understand the math behind renting an apartment, buying a house, and owning a car.
Student Facing Learning Targets
• I can pass the housing and transportation assessment with 80% accuracy.
• I can calculate total move-in costs and TCO independently.
Required Academic Standards
National Jump$tart Standards:
• (All Unit 5 Standards Applied)
Glossary Entries
Formative Assessment: Ongoing checks for understanding used to guide instruction.
Summative Assessment: An evaluation of student learning at the conclusion of a defined instructional period.
Retention: The ability to recall and apply academic concepts over time.
Lesson
Warm Up
5.6.1: The Adult Reality Check
Launch: Have students sit independently at their desks. Present the prompt verbally or project it. Give them 4 minutes.
Synthesis: Rapid-fire share out. Connect housing and transportation as the two largest line items in an adult budget.
Student Facing Task
Student-Facing Task: Without looking at your notes, which hidden cost surprised you the most this unit: apartment security deposits, mortgage closing costs, or the true monthly cost of owning a car? Why?
Activity 1
5.6.2: Assessment Part 1 - Terminology
Launch: Distribute Part 1 of the Mid-Unit Assessment. Monitor independent work.
Synthesis: N/A (Summative Assessment).
Student Facing Task
Student-Facing Task: Complete the multiple-choice and matching vocabulary section independently. Ensure you clearly differentiate between PMI, Escrow, and Origination Fees.
Activity 2
5.6.3: Assessment Part 2 - Applied Calculations
Launch: Distribute Part 2 of the Mid-Unit Assessment. Monitor independent work.
Synthesis: N/A (Summative Assessment).
Student Facing Task
Student-Facing Task: Complete the calculation section. You will be given a gross salary and must calculate the 30% housing limit, a DTI ratio, and a vehicle's Total Cost of Ownership. Show all your math.
Lesson Synthesis
Lesson Synthesis (5 min)
Narrative: Collect assessments. Preview the second half of the unit: "Now that we know how to secure a house and a car, we have to learn how to feed ourselves and keep the lights on without going broke."
Cool Down
5.6.4: The Next Step Reflection
Narrative: This exit ticket prompts a personal reflection for instructional alignment.
Teacher Rubric: Look for specific identification of a mastered concept and a practical question about daily living expenses.
Student Facing Task
Student-Facing Task: Which specific math concept on today's quiz did you feel the most confident about, and what is one thing you still want to learn about living on your own (like groceries or utility bills)?