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In ESE there are many different levels, within one classroom. There are students ranging academically from total non-readers to middle school levels of reading and math. The newspaper is used in many different ways.

Purpose: Newspapers are used to show students how information is important for their needs and wants and that is accessible to them.

To help students understand the concept of the cost of living, students use the index to look up property to rent, buy or lease. They must locate jobs they are interested in. Students further research jobs by calling on businesses. (Companies are very helpful, when the goal is explained). Students then pick their form of transportation: car, truck, bicycle, or motorcycle. Cost is figured and monthly or weekly payments are listed. Housing expense, transportation and income are figured monthly and students can more easily see cost of these major expenses. When students examine the figures, they often realize that they must find more realistic housing prices and transportation or better job opportunities. They must see both sides - the income levels and expense incurred in living.

Budgets and grocery lists are formed weekly. These lists are realistic (often copies of parents shopping list). Grocery and retail ads are used to locate prices or coupons of supplies on the list. A list is provided with room for most common products. Students often call stores to check prices of other things needed.

This project can and should take at least one nine-week period. Students often have no concept of all things involved in living independently. Students search ads in newspaper for movies and other things they desire to do. One thing students do not always take into consideration, insurance for cars, housing, etc. All bills are figured into this formula. Students use play money, and play checking accounts to look at real life expenses.

We try to parallel what they do at home for living expenses, foods, entertainment, restaurant, etc. It gives students a more realistic view of life.

Students are asked to list and post TV times for shows as dictated. Students often do not know how to read TV schedules in the newspaper. Students are expected to look up channels and times.

Newspapers are used to show students how information is important for their needs ands wants and is accessible to them. This includes weather reports. Students are taught to read weather reports before school and dress according to reports.

Newspapers are a necessity for life. Students learn to understand money and the concept of living. Most importantly students are reading, researching and learning to answer questions for themselves.

We use regular ledgers for balancing and tracking money.

Marcella Arias
Tomoka Elementary

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