Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to apply arithmetic skills to simulate real-life scenarios in the game Sims.

Materials and Prep

• Sims game (any version)
• Pen and paper

Prior knowledge of basic arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) is required.

Activities

1. Start by discussing the concept of currency in the Sims game. Explain that Sims use Simoleons as their currency to buy items, build houses, and live their virtual lives.

2. Ask the student to imagine they are starting a new Sim family and have a budget of 10,000 Simoleons. Have them create a list of items they want to buy for their Sims, assigning each item a cost in Simoleons.

3. Using their arithmetic skills, have the student calculate the total cost of all the items on their list. Encourage them to use mental math or written calculations as needed.

4. Discuss with the student how they can earn Simoleons in the game. Explain that Sims can get jobs, sell items, or receive money as gifts. Have the student brainstorm different ways their Sims can earn money.

5. Challenge the student to calculate how long it would take their Sims to earn enough Simoleons to afford all the items on their list. Have them consider different scenarios, such as working different jobs or selling different items.

6. Encourage the student to play the Sims game and apply their arithmetic skills to manage their Sim family's finances. Have them keep track of their income, expenses, and savings in a journal.

United States of America: Grade 7 Talking Points

• "In the United States, we use the dollar as our currency. Just like the Sims have Simoleons, we have dollars to buy things and live our lives."

• "It's important to have a budget and keep track of our expenses. This helps us make sure we don't spend more money than we have."

• "In the real world, we earn money through jobs, selling items, or receiving money as gifts. This is similar to how Sims can earn Simoleons."

• "Arithmetic skills are useful in managing our finances. We can use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to calculate expenses, income, and savings."

• "By playing the Sims game and applying our arithmetic skills, we can learn how to make smart financial decisions and budget our money effectively."