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Interactive Internet Game Activity
As Jesse continues to buy more stuff, he realizes that he will need to make more money. So, he learns very quickly that instead of working hard to earn money, he wants to make his money do all the hard work. Brian's story will tell you how he made this happen.

Learning Objectives
· Understand assets, liabilities and expenses
· Record information on income statements and balance sheets
· Brainstorm opportunities to make money work for you

Assessments
Students will: (1) interpret financial information for entry on income statements and balance sheets, (2) analyze the financial impact of assets, liabilities and expenses as presented on financial statements and (3) design a plan from financial success by making your money work for you.

Classroom Activities
Rat Race or Fast Track - Learning the Fast Track at Fourteen Years Old: A True Story - Have the students read Brian's story. Then, go back through the narrative and explain Brian's financial statements. It will be important for students to understand the entries for the other activities.
Building Brian's Financial Statements: Rat Race to Fast Track - You can engage students in this activity in a variety of ways. It can be used as an individual, small group or class activity. At first you may want to walk students through the beginning transactions to help them better understand how to record the entries. Then, work through the #2, #3, #4 and #5 activities.

Class Discussion Questions
1. What interests do you have that could turn into an opportunity to make your money
work for you?
2. What can happen to make liabilities become assets?
3. Do you know anyone who is stuck in the rat race?
What put him/her in the rat race?
4. Do you know anyone who is on the fast track?
What put him/her on the fast track?

(Charts and activity sheets continue in the downloadable PDF file above.)