Money-making Mice

Financial understanding

Playing this game will help students to understand that there are many costs associated with running a business and that it’s important for people in business to manage their money well to cover these expenses. Playing the game will also show students that the financial decisions that people make determine how “well off” they are now and in the future.

The students need to monitor and evaluate their cash-book records, especially at the end of the game when they reflect on the consequences of some of the “decisions” they had to make during the game.

Before they start playing, make sure that the students understand what a bank balance is and that they are able to count in tens.

The game needs to be played with the winner being the first person to reach exactly $200 because this makes their decisions about the cheese segments crucial.

Use of the cash-book record sheet in this game is a way to teach students the beginnings of accounting and money management.

After the Game - Student Reflection

Discuss why you chose the cheese segments you did at various stages of the game and to comment on the strategic decisions they employed. Create a document to show your thinking

What needs and wants do you have for our classroom? How do you decide who gets to use these resources?