10th Grade Life Skills Simulations
1950s Consumer Sears Catalog Simulation
By Sarah Austin
The year is 1956. You & your partner have taken advantage of new economic conditions & purchased a suburban home. Upon moving to the suburbs, you find you need to fill your home with clothes & furniture.
Use the Sears catalog provided to fill your home. The average monthly income in the USA in 1955 was $360. Let’s say you & your partner have been saving, and have a savings account of $600. The mortgage payment on your home is $60 per month, & let's say you use $40 per month for groceries. That leaves you with $500 to spend for the month!
Fill out the provided order sheet with the products you want to buy, and their prices. Do not spend more than $500, because then you will end up in debt! Beware–life events and circumstances happen, so adjust accordingly!
This Resource Includes:
- Teacher Reference Guide
- Google Slide Presentation
- Sears Catalog Student Handout
- Life Event Cards
- 1956 Sears Catalog (Printable & digital versions)
*If you would like to purchase the entire lesson CLICK BELOW!
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