After showing Next Generation: Insuring Your Future, students used computers to research insurance on the Internet. The topics included health, property (individual and commercial), life and other insurance. Students had to state the policy types available, specify the companies offering each type, note what the insurance contracts actually provided for, and any costs, if available on the website. They also had to describe the coverage available, including deductibles, co-insurance, etc. This was an excellent learning experience for them.

Larry Condra
Abilene High School
Abilene, TX

After using the Master Your Future: Second Edition* in my classroom, I divided by business class into groups of three: the credit bureau manager, the store owner and the person applying for credit. I gave them different situations with credit reports and copies of bills, and each student took on his or her role, rotating roles with each new situation.

Situation 1: an average person who gets into credit difficulties;
Situation 2: a person who rarely pays his or her bills;
Situation 3: a person who always pays bills on time.

We discussed each situation and their consequences. We speculated on how they got themselves into trouble and on how to get out and stay out of their financial trouble.

Kim McDonald
Big Sandy High School
Big Sandy, TX

I teach pregnant and parenting teenagers about life skills and being responsible for themselves and their children. Most of my students have never had a checking account. I use the Master Your Future: Second Edition* video program to explain different aspects of banking and charge cards.

After we watch the video, we play a finance game. The students are given M&M candies, each valued at $100. They also are given a “salary” of 20 candies (which equals more than minimum wage) and from this “money” they must “pay” for child care, food, insurance, car, etc. they can choose from eating low-cost foods (beans, rice), mid-range foods (chicken, ham) or high-cost foods (steak). Obviously, the teens will have to spend more to eat the higher-range food.

Then we have surprises, where the teens pull a paper out of a hat. Some may get a “bonus” for being a hard worker, others may have to “spend” more of their candy because their car broke down and needs repair. The kids have a great time playing this game and soon realize that it takes a good deal of “candy” to take care of bills! Thus, they learn the importance of completing their education and going to college.

Debbie Atchison
Kings Community Action Organization
Hartford, California

*This title is no longer available, but over 30,000 VPW subscribers have ordered it over the past ten years and are still using it.