top of page
Search

Lesson Plan: “Monopoly & Money: Why Assets Matter in Real Life”

ree

Lesson Title: “Monopoly & Money: Why Assets Matter in Real Life”

Grade Level: 9–12

Subject: Personal Finance / Economics

Duration: 1 class period (45–60 minutes)

Florida State Standards Covered:

Florida Financial Literacy Standards (2023 updates, High School):

  • FL.FL.912.PFL.1.1 – Describe the importance of financial planning, including saving, investing, and avoiding debt.

  • FL.FL.912.PFL.2.1 – Explain the difference between assets and liabilities.

  • FL.FL.912.PFL.2.3 – Discuss strategies to build wealth through investment.

  • FL.FL.912.PFL.3.1 – Identify sources of income and strategies to increase them.

  • FL.FL.912.PFL.3.2 – Explain how career choices, education, and skill development impact earning potential.

  • FL.FL.912.PFL.5.1 – Explain the importance of budgeting and money management to achieve financial goals.

Lesson Objectives:

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

  1. Explain the concept of assets and how they generate income.

  2. Compare the difference between earning wages only and creating passive income streams.

  3. Identify real-life examples of “playing Monopoly without buying assets” and the financial risks of that strategy.

  4. Create a simple wealth-building plan that includes at least one asset-generating investment.

  5. Materials Needed:

  6. Monopoly game board or printed game spaces from image

  7. Whiteboard/markers or projector

  8. Handout: Asset vs. Liability Chart

  9. Student worksheet: “Your Personal Monopoly Strategy”

Lesson Outline:

1. Warm-Up Discussion (5 minutes)

  • Show the Monopoly image from the prompt.

  • Ask:

    • “What happens in Monopoly if you never buy properties or investments?”

    • “How is this similar to how some people live their lives?”


2. Core Concept Instruction (15 minutes)

A. Definitions:

  • Asset – Something you own that puts money in your pocket (e.g., rental property, stock dividends, business).

  • Liability – Something that takes money out of your pocket (e.g., debt, expenses).

  • Passive Income – Money earned with minimal active work after the initial effort (e.g., royalties, investments).

B. Real-World Connection:

  • In real life, if you only “collect $200” (your paycheck) and immediately spend it on bills and liabilities, you will never grow wealth.

  • Investing in assets allows money to work for you.

3. Activity: “Your Monopoly Life” (20 minutes)

Part 1:

  • Students receive a blank Monopoly board template.

  • They label spaces with real-life financial opportunities (e.g., “buy stock,” “start a small business,” “pay rent,” “student loan debt,” “taxes,” “vacation purchase”).

Part 2:

  • Students map out two life paths:

    1. No Asset Path – Only collect “paychecks,” pay bills, avoid investments.

    2. Asset Path – Purchase at least 3 income-producing assets.


  • Discuss: Which path leads to more financial security and why?

4. Guided Practice (10 minutes)

  • Teacher leads calculation:

    • Example: Buying a rental property that nets $200/month vs. only earning a paycheck.

    • Show compound effect over 5 years.

5. Reflection & Exit Ticket (5 minutes)Prompt:

  • “In one paragraph, explain how you can apply the Monopoly analogy to your own life and avoid the trap of living paycheck-to-paycheck.”

Assessment:

  • Participation in discussion and activity (30%)

  • Completed “Your Monopoly Life” worksheet (40%)

  • Exit ticket reflection (30%)

Homework / Extension:

  • Interview a family member about an asset they own (stock, property, business).

  • Ask: How did they acquire it? How does it generate income?

  • Write a one-page summary.

Here are hashtag suggestions tailored for your lesson "Monopoly & Money: Why Assets Matter in Real Life" that will work for educational, financial literacy, and student engagement contexts:

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page