Money!

One thing that has been constant since I started teaching Economics is the fake money system. The students earn "money" for being in class, their job, as well as extra jobs they do. They have to pay rent on the first of the month, front row seats are more. They also play "That's Life" a few times throughout the semester, where they pick a card and then they have to pay whatever it says. For example, buy lunch for your mom pay 30 dollars. They have to keep track of their money in and out on a checkbook sheet, which is an assignment due at the end of the semester. They have to be responsible for their money, if it is stolen or lost it doesn't get replaced. They don't get sick days or vacation days. They cost of items always goes up, and the pay doesn't, which usually leads to them forming a union at some point, a great lesson to learn! In the end, I give them extra credit for the money they have left. There are other things that the money can buy, like a repick on their household budget project, or food from my "store." A lot of great economic lessons can be learned.