Economic+Survivor+Game+Instructions+(Day+2+of+unit)

Everyone must acquire food, shelter, and clothing to survive, but as Americans we strive to accumulate more. The game assumes that everyone has an ability to work. Twenty percent of the population is more fortunate; at birth, they have the advantages of wealth and education, as well as labor. An additional twelve percent earn at least a bachelor’s degree. Over a lifetime additional skills and economic advantages make it easier for these people to accumulate much more than the rest of the population.
 * Economic Simulation Instructions/Explanations **

In other words, with some exceptions, the rich really do get richer while the poor get poorer. This game attempts to simulate these realities. All participants receive a fixed amount of labor. Twenty percent are “born with” land and education; twelve percent get an education. What does this mean? If you have 30 students,

All 30 students will receive **18 units of “labor”** 6 students will receive **5 units of “land” and 1 unit of “education.”** 4 students will get **1 unit of “education”**.

At the start of the game, each student receives an envelope containing color-coded tickets representing their lives for the duration of the game based on the percentages above. Tickets were created using Microsoft clip art in an Excel spreadsheet and are available by emailing me at lcronk@valpo.k12.in.us “Land” is only available from students playing the game; students who don’t have land must trade with other students to win this asset. Capital can be accumulated; once obtained, the student shouldn’t lose this asset (Beats the heck out of the stock market, but this is a game.) There is plenty of “food”, but there is “clothing” is deliberately limited. There are only 2 tickets per student participating.

Facilitators need to be spread around the room at exchange stations, where they trade “capital” and “labor” for one of the available goods: food, clothing, capital, televisions, or cars. The exchange rates are defined in the student instructions. We found it helpful to post the rate at the station too. It adds to the fun if facilitators try to “sell” their goods to the kids—especially clothing. Facilitators need to keep in mind

Survivors of the game will have **1”land”, 2 “clothing”, and 3 “food**” The person who accumulates the most stuff from each class should win something. Food works well with middle schoolers. Students should tally their points based on the table below.
 * 1) EDUCATION ALWAYS REDUCES COST OF ITEM BY 1 LABOR UNIT.
 * 2) ONLY TAKE LABOR UNITS. STUDENTS KEEP CAPITAL.
 * 3) THERE IS A DELIBERATE SHORTAGE OF CLOTHING.
 * 4) STUDENTS MUST TRADE WITH EACH OTHER TO GET LAND.
 * 5) ONLY ONE TRADE WITH A STUDENT. After that s/he must go to another line, or the end of yours.
 * Trading lasts for 20 minutes.**

Land tickets-10 points each Capital tickets – 5 points each Cars- 3 points each Food, clothing, televisions: 1 point each
 * Values for the Final Tally**