# Mastering Monopoly Junior
In this lesson, students will discover the secrets of one of the most beloved family games: Monopoly Junior. Students will practice decision-making and resource management and learn the importance of financial responsibility in a fun, playful setting.
## Objective:
Students will understand the basic rules of Monopoly Junior, improve their decision-making skills, and learn about financial responsibility by managing their resources during gameplay.
## Materials Required:
- 2-4 Monopoly Junior Game Sets
- Whiteboard and markers
- Monopoly money (from the game)
- Printed Monopoly Junior game rule summaries (1 per student)
- Small rewards or tokens for student participation
- Timer/clock
- Classroom projector (optional for showing visual aids)
## 1. Introduction and Explanation (10 minutes)
### Teacher's Dialogue:
"Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to dive into the exciting world of Monopoly Junior. Has anyone played Monopoly Junior before and want to explain? (Pause for quick responses.) That's great! For those who haven't, don't worry—you'll get to master it today. Monopoly Junior is a fun game that teaches us how to make smart decisions, manage our money, and understand the basics of financial responsibility—all while having fun! We'll learn how to buy properties, pay rent, and even earn money throughout the game. By the end of our class, you'll be better decision-makers and financial managers. Let's get started!"
### Engagement Question:
"Who can tell me what they think financial responsibility means? (Pause for responses from students.) Financial responsibility means making wise decisions about how to spend, save, and use our money. Monopoly Junior is a wonderful way to practice this, so let's see how we can become experts today!"
## 2. Setting Up and Starting the Activity (10 minutes)
### Instructions for Starting the Activity:
1. **Divide the Class into Groups:** "Please count off from 1 to 4, and gather into groups based on your numbers. Each group will receive a Monopoly Junior game set."
2. **Distribute Materials:** "I'm giving each group a game box with everything you need inside—game board, special junior Monopoly money, property deeds, character pieces, and chance cards. Take a minute to look at these items and pass them around to become familiar with them. Remember to be careful and treat the game pieces gently!"
3. **Explain Game Basics:** "Can someone who knows how to play explain the rules? Monopoly Junior is similar to the classic Monopoly game, but designed to be quicker and simpler. The goal is to have the most money at the end of the game. You'll be buying properties, and every time someone lands on a property you own, they need to pay you rent!"
4. **Assign Roles:** "Choose one person in your group to be the banker. The banker manages all the money that becomes part of the bank. Everyone else, choose a character piece—this will be your token on the board."
5. **Quick Review of Rules:** "Before we start, let's go over the rules real quick. In the game, each player takes turns rolling a die and moving around the board. You'll have opportunities to buy properties, pay rent, and draw chance cards, which can provide unexpected bonuses or challenges. Remember, if you're out of money, the game's not over! You just keep playing until everyone has taken their turn."
## 3. Main Activity (20 minutes)
### Overview:
Students will engage in a simulation of real-life financial decisions through Monopoly Junior gameplay, focusing on the decision to buy properties and manage their money.
#### Step 1: Playing the Game
**Teacher Says:**
"Okay, it's time to start playing! Each group can start by rolling the die to determine who goes first. Remember to take turns clockwise. As you land on unowned properties, you can decide whether to buy them. If you can't afford something, don't worry—you can save your money and maybe buy another property later. Keep in mind, money doesn't grow on trees, so spend wisely!"
#### Step 2: Decision-Making Moment
**Teacher Says:**
"Pause the game for a second—let's reflect on some decisions you're making. What's happening in the game right now? Who decided to buy their first property? Why did you choose that one? Discuss with your group why some decisions are better than others or sometimes there may not be a best decision - there are always pros and cons."
#### Step 3: Incorporating Chance Cards
**Teacher Says:**
"Let’s talk about chance cards! These can really shake things up. If you land on a ‘Chance’ space, draw a card and read it aloud to your group. These cards add excitement by giving you a spontaneous benefit or challenge. How do you think this relates to real life? What are some examples? Just remember that good things and surprises are all part of making financial choices!"
#### Step 4: Check-in and Strategy
**Teacher Says:**
"Strategy time! Think about your next moves. Ask yourself, 'Should I save or spend?' 'How can I increase my rent income?' Feel free to ask for advice from your teammates before making your decision! Remember, we're all in this to learn."
## 4. Wrapping Up and Review (20 minutes)
### Teacher's Dialogue for Conclusion:
"Everyone stop! Let's bring our games to a pause and come together for a discussion. Who can share what they learned about making decisions today? (Pause for responses and give small rewards or tokens for participation.) It's important to remember that every decision, from buying a property to saving some cash, helped you think critically about how you use your resources. In Monopoly Junior, just like in real life, the choice is up to you! Did anyone face any surprises with chance cards? How'd you handle those surprises?"
### Reflect on Learning:
"What did we learn today that we can apply to real life? Monopoly Junior helped us practice being financially responsible through fun gameplay. We learned about buying decisions, managing resources, and how unexpected things can change our plans—just like in real life! Who’s excited to apply what they've learned in making real-life choices whenever you receive allowance or manage your piggy bank funds?"
### Closing Remark:
"So, all our Monopoly Juniors, take this learning home, practice decision-making with friends and family, and remember—the best financial decisions are informed ones! Thank you for participating today. Tomorrow, we'll continue to build on these valuable skills in our next session. Keep up the good work!"