Lesson Plan
Spin for Your Future Lesson Plan
Students will learn how to access and complete the Game of Life assessment in Schoolinks, experiencing how big and small financial decisions shape their future, and will reflect on the outcomes to demonstrate understanding.
This lesson builds essential financial literacy by letting students make real-world decisions in an engaging simulation, fostering critical thinking about long-term consequences.
Audience
10th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Hands-on, interactive simulation with guided reflection
Materials
- Computers or Tablets with Internet Access, - Student Schoolinks Logins, - Spin for Your Future Slide Deck, - Spin for Your Future Script, and - Spin for Your Future Cool Down Worksheet
Prep
Set Up and Review Materials
10 minutes
- Ensure all students have active Schoolinks accounts and know their login credentials
- Test the Game of Life assessment link in Schoolinks for smooth access
- Open and review the Spin for Your Future Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the Spin for Your Future Script
- Print enough copies of the Spin for Your Future Cool Down Worksheet for the class
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Greet students and display the first slide of the Spin for Your Future Slide Deck
- Share the lesson’s objective: exploring financial decisions through the Game of Life simulation in Schoolinks
- Ask students: “What kinds of everyday choices can affect your long-term financial health?”
- Transition by explaining they’ll access the simulation next
Step 2
Guided Access
5 minutes
- Direct students to log into Schoolinks and navigate to the Game of Life assessment
- Use slides 2–4 of the Spin for Your Future Slide Deck to demonstrate each step
- Read aloud the corresponding cues from the Spin for Your Future Script to reinforce guidance
- Confirm that all students have successfully accessed the simulation
Step 3
Simulation Play
10 minutes
- Instruct students to begin the Game of Life assessment and make decisions when prompted (career path, housing, investments)
- Encourage them to note how each choice affects their virtual finances
- Circulate the room to assist with navigation and answer questions
- Remind students to follow the prompts exactly as shown in the simulation
Step 4
Cool Down & Reflection
10 minutes
- Distribute the Spin for Your Future Cool Down Worksheet
- Prompt students to answer reflection questions about one big decision and one small decision they made
- Pair students to discuss how their choices influenced their final financial outcome
- Reconvene for a 2-minute whole-class share: "What surprised you most about the simulation?"
Slide Deck
Spin for Your Future
Exploring how financial decisions shape your future through the Game of Life simulation in Schoolinks.
Welcome students to the lesson. Introduce yourself and the topic. Use opening lines from the Spin for Your Future Script.
Lesson Objectives
• Access and complete the Game of Life assessment
• Understand how big and small financial choices impact your future
• Reflect on and discuss your simulation outcomes
Emphasize each objective and connect them to student goals. Refer to script cue: “Today we will…”
Accessing the Simulation
- Log into your Schoolinks account
- Click on "Assessments"
- Select "Game of Life"
- Hit "Start" to begin
Demonstrate live on screen. Read steps aloud from the Spin for Your Future Script.
Simulation Overview
• Choose a career path
• Select housing and lifestyle options
• Make investment and spending decisions
• Watch how each choice affects your virtual finances
Show a screenshot of the simulation interface (projected). Point out where career, housing, and finances appear.
Big vs. Small Decisions
Big Decisions:
– Career selection
– Home purchase
Small Decisions:
– Daily expenses
– Entertainment choices
Notice how each affects your long-term financial health.
Discuss examples of big vs. small decisions. Encourage students to think before they act.
Reflection & Next Steps
• Complete the Cool Down Worksheet
• Reflect on one big and one small decision you made
• Discuss your outcomes with a partner
• Be ready to share what surprised you most
Distribute the Spin for Your Future Cool Down Worksheet. Follow the Cool Down & Reflection script in your teacher guide.
Script
Spin for Your Future Script
Introduction (5 minutes)
Slide 1: Spin for Your Future
(Show Spin for Your Future Slide Deck, Slide 1)
Teacher says:
“Good morning, everyone! Welcome to Spin for Your Future. Today we’re going to explore how the choices we make—both big and small—can shape our financial futures. We’ll do this by completing the Game of Life assessment in Schoolinks, and then reflecting on what we learn.
By the end of our time together, you’ll be able to:
• Log in and start the Game of Life assessment
• See how different decisions affect your virtual money
• Reflect on one big and one small decision you made
Let’s get started!”
Slide 2: Lesson Objectives
(Advance to Slide 2)
Teacher says:
“Here are our objectives for today:
- Access and complete the Game of Life assessment.
- Understand how big and small financial choices impact your future.
- Reflect on and discuss your simulation outcomes.
Can anyone share a quick example of an everyday choice that might affect your long-term financial health?”
Pause for student responses.
Follow-up prompts:
- “Great! Who else?”
- “How might that choice help or hurt your future finances?”
Teacher says:
“Awesome ideas. Now we’ll move on to logging in and starting our simulation.”
Guided Access (5 minutes)
Slide 3: Accessing the Simulation
(Advance to Slide 3)
Teacher says:
“Please open a new tab and go to your Schoolinks homepage. Ready?
Step 1: Log in with your credentials.
Step 2: Click on Assessments in the menu.
Step 3: Find and click Game of Life.
Step 4: Hit Start to begin the assessment.
I’ll walk through each step on my screen. Watch my cursor…”
Demonstrate live while narrating the steps.
Teacher says:
“Okay, everyone—pause. Do you see the Game of Life interface with career, housing, and finance options? Raise your hand if you’re there.”
Confirm all students have accessed the simulation. Provide help as needed.
Simulation Play (10 minutes)
Slide 4: Simulation Overview
(Advance to Slide 4)
Teacher says:
“Here’s what you’ll see once the simulation loads:
• Choose your career path – Each job pays differently.
• Select housing and lifestyle options – Rent or buy, basic or deluxe.
• Make investment and spending decisions – Save, invest, or spend on extras.
• Watch your virtual finances – See how each choice impacts your total money.
As you play, think about:
- A big decision (like choosing a career or buying a home).
- A smaller decision (like daily expenses or entertainment).
Begin now. You have 10 minutes. If you need help, raise your hand and I’ll come over.”
Circulate the room, answer questions, and encourage strategic thinking.
(10-minute timer)
Cool Down & Reflection (10 minutes)
Slide 6: Reflection & Next Steps
(Advance to Slide 6)
Teacher says:
“Time’s up—great work, everyone! Now let’s reflect. I’m handing out the Spin for Your Future Cool Down Worksheet. On page 1, you’ll answer these questions:
- One big decision I made was: ______________________
- One small decision I made was: ______________________
- My final virtual balance was: ______________________
- What surprised you most about your results? Why? ______________________
Write your responses—this should take about 5 minutes.”
Pause while students write.
Teacher says:
“Now turn to a partner. Share your big versus small decisions and explain how they influenced your final balance. You have 3 minutes.”
(3-minute partner discussion)
Teacher says:
“Okay, let’s come back together. Who would like to share what surprised them most about their simulation? Tell us your decision and outcome.”
Select 2–3 students to share.
Teacher says:
“Excellent reflections! Remember: real financial choices—big or small—can add up over time. Use what you learned today as you plan your own future. Thanks for participating!”
End of Script
Cool Down
Spin for Your Future Cool Down Worksheet
Name: ________________________ Date: ____________ Period: _______
Reflection Questions
- One big decision I made was:
- One small decision I made was:
- My final virtual balance was:
- What surprised you most about your results? Why?
After completing your responses, pair up with a classmate to discuss how your decisions influenced your outcome.