Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will understand the basics of economics through the game of Monopoly, learn about physical fitness by incorporating movement into game play, and explore social studies concepts such as community and cooperation.

Materials and Prep

• Monopoly game board (or a printed version if necessary)
• Paper and pencil for note-taking
• Timer or stopwatch
• Open space for physical activities
• Knowledge about Monopoly rules and basic economic concepts

Activities

• Monopoly Game Play: Start with a traditional game of Monopoly. Let the student take turns rolling the dice, buying properties, and managing their money. Discuss the economic concepts of supply and demand as they make decisions about property purchases.

• Fitness Breaks: Every time a player lands on a property, they must perform a physical activity (like jumping jacks or running in place) before they can buy it. This keeps the game active and helps incorporate physical education into the lesson.

• Community Discussion: After the game, have a discussion about the different properties and what makes a community strong. Ask the student to think about how businesses and homes work together to create a thriving environment.

• Reflection Exercise: Have the student write down what they learned about money management and community from the game. Encourage them to think about how these lessons apply to real life.

Talking Points

• "What do you think happens when someone buys a lot of properties? How does it affect the game?"
• "Can you think of a time when you had to make a choice about spending money? How did you decide?"
• "Why do you think it's important for a community to have both businesses and homes?"
• "How does exercising while playing a game make you feel? Do you think it helps you focus?"
• "What strategies did you use to win the game? Can those strategies apply to real-life situations?"
• "How do you think people feel when they land on your property in Monopoly? Is it similar to how people feel in real life?"
• "Why do you think cooperation is important in both Monopoly and in our communities?"
• "What was your favorite part of the game? Did you learn something new?"
• "How can we use what we learned today to make better decisions in the future?"
• "What do you think is more important in Monopoly: strategy or luck? Why?"