In this project, students have the opportunity to see what it is like to balance a checkbook.  Students are assigned one of 16 jobs and will have to determine their monthly salary, pay bills, buy groceries and balance their checkbook. There are opportunities for students to buy additional items if they want to, and at the end of the project they will be given a "life surprise card" in which they will encounter different types of real life incidences where you may earn some extra cash, or where you may have to pay an unexpected bill.

Students will also be given the opportunity to write a brief reflection on their thoughts on balancing a checkbook.

I created this project for my 5th grade students, but it could be used with 4th grade students for enrichment opportunities.