Your high school life skills and transition students will love learning about buying a car with this print and go real world math project to support personal financial literacy. Teach students how to read a car advertisement, find car information, search for cars online and weigh up the pros and cons of a buying decision.
 
Buying a car is one of the most significant times in the life of a young person. It marks a passage from childhood to adulthood and is a symbol of newfound independence as they journey into the adult world. However, buying a car can also be a decision which sees many young people plunged into a dangerous spiral of debt if they make poor buying choices or buy without thinking things through carefully.
 
What's inside?
This buying a car real world math project includes 15 pages of content:
Where to find cars advertised
Thinking about your needs and wants
The steps to buy a car
How to make a good decision about buying a car
Weighing up the pros and cons
Recording pages to compare the details of cars
A reading comprehension page with a sample car advertisement
 
The resource gives students practice at using a digital text (online car advertisements and platforms) and accessing and collating information to support a personal financial decision.
 
How to help
Encourage learners to use online sources to review and collect information about cars that meet their needs, and then develop a short list of possible cars. Provide opportunities in the classroom for learners to look for information online, record their ideas, work in pairs and small groups to practice making phone calls and writing down the questions they would ask a seller in a safe, supportive environment before they attempt to phone a seller independently.
 
Who is it for?
The buying a car real world math project is suitable for teens and adults who are considering buying a first car, or who require some support with their financial literacy and life skills math learning. It is useful for:
Work Education
Transition Education
VPC Numeracy or Personal Development Skills
General Education
 
NOTE
This resource uses Australian spelling and has distances in kilometres.