GOSHEN — For the past nine years, Goshen Middle School has hosted a simulation event for its eighth-graders called “It’s Your Life.”
Volunteer parents and community members along with dedicated GMS staff work hard to create a “real-life” scenario for each student before attending Goshen High School. The hope is that students will get a bit of a reality check about why education makes a difference in life. Reality hit May 11.
First, students were matched with a reasonable real-world job fitting the grades earned the previous trimesters and connecting to an interest survey students completed in seventh grade. This is a harshly low number for some who might think they’d like to be a vet or doctor, but earned all Ds in school this year. A salary, marital status, dependants, and if a spouse provides income are also randomly assigned. Students work through their math classes to create a budget sheet prior to the actual simulation. They even have to pay taxes based on their annual household income.
The simulation event took place in the GMS gym, which was transformed into a “mini community.” Booths were constructed around the perimeter like a strip mall, displaying signs each participant must visit. Housing, clothing, food, entertainment, child care, insurance, transportation and investments were just a few of the spots students had to stop and mark their budget sheets.
Each booth had options, for example in housing students can select a one-, two- or three-bedroom home or apartment to buy or rent. Then, they see the monthly costs for housing and insurance. Many had to visit the credit counseling booth and completely redo their initial plan because they overspent their budget. Students quickly realized what they want wasn’t necessarily what they could afford. Most of these booths were run by community members who work in that particular field or volunteering parents.
Along with the realities of monthly paychecks and bills, students were also told to select two items from “The Pitfall Pond.” These are the unknowns in life that drain a budget: accidents, illness, or loss of a job. Students had itemized lines for these on their budget sheets, but rarely are these positives.
The GMS resource officer and another Goshen Police Department volunteer walked around the gym giving students citations if students violated the GMS code of conduct. A student then went to court, which was staged in the middle of the gym and facilitated by an actual Goshen judge. The judge then gave the violator a fine or sent him/her to “jail.” The jail was a holding area where students were temporarily out of the fun and encouraged to change their behavior upon returning to the activity.
At the end of the event, students completed a written and verbal reflection in small groups.
• What did they learn?
• What surprised them about “real life?”
• How might today change their outlook on education?
Students who had money left in their pretend budget were encouraged to invest at the banking booth — every $50 mock money bought a raffle ticket. A Goshen bank then provided an actual $50 savings bond for the drawing at the end of the event.
Students turned the budget sheets back into their teachers.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Goshen Middle School eighth-graders get a reality check on life by visiting different reality booths during the school’s annual “It’s Your Life” event. Annette Gonzales, a parent volunteer, right, helps Erika Back, Liya Redkina, Miguel Navarro and Logan Maynard with their grocery selections. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
Goshen Middle School students get a look at their future lives
- Local News
-
-
Jefferson students spend the day at Camp Amigo
On Tuesday, 450 Jefferson Elementary School students experienced “outdoor” school.
-
Bus driver’s condition upgraded after Wednesday wreck
A school bus driver injured in a four-bus crash Wednesday north of North Webster was hospitalized in fair condition Thursday.
-
Goshen has growth spurt
Goshen Mayor Allan Kauffman doesn’t have the magic bullet as to why Goshen is over the 32,000 mark in population for the first time.
-
Sentence dealt for reckless homicide
GOSHEN — From the witness stand in Elkhart Circuit Court, Kristina Wolfinger could see the man who killed her brother. She described what she didn’t see.
-
Milford Fest activities to fill Saturday
Milford Fest will take place in downtown Milford Saturday.
Events begin at 7 a.m. and continue through 9 p.m. -
Local Memorial Day events set
The following are scheduled Memorial Day services in the area:
-
Charlie Daniels Band coming to Shipshewana
He’s got the hat, the fiddle and the hits. And he’s feeling revitalized.
In a recent telephone interview with The Goshen News, 74-year-old Charlie Daniels said he is feeling like a new man after his pacemaker procedure earlier this year. He says everything is in sync and he is having a great time on the road.
“I’m enjoying this tour and we are looking forward to making music in Indiana,” the country-rock icon said. -
State senate honors Middlebury teen
The Indiana Senate recognized Northridge High School senior Alexandra Hochstetler, who is Indiana’s Distinguished Young Woman.
-
Volunteers help plant annual quilt gardens
GOSHEN - Colorful gardens are popping up across Elkhart and LaGrange counties this week as volunteers plant the annual quilt gardens.
-
WWI vet to be honored at dusk to dawn vigil
MIDDLEBURY — Guests speakers at the Middlebury American Legion Post 210 annual dusk to dawn vigil at Grace Lawn Cemetery reads like a who’s who list in Indiana government.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
