Buying a House - Which Home loan is best?
Learning Sequence
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Introduction with Gavin
This activity introduces students to real estate investment through the scenario of Mrs. Aisha Patel, a successful entrepreneur. It focuses on applying math skills in money management, forecasting, and calculating percentages.
Teachers will guide students in analysing Aisha's financial situation, exploring investment options, and evaluating their potential using mathematical forecasting. The goal is to develop students' financial literacy and critical thinking skills by making informed, ethical investment decisions based on real-world financial data.
Join us in guiding Mrs. Aisha Patel, an entrepreneur with dreams of becoming a real estate mogul, through the world of property investment. Aisha, 40, owns a successful chain of boutique coffee shops and earns $150,000 a year. She's ready to invest her $200,000 savings in real estate but is unsure where to start.
Your task: Analyse different properties and investment strategies, considering market trends and potential for long-term growth. This exercise isn't just about numbers; it's about making ethical investment choices that align with Aisha's values and community impact.
In your groups, you'll explore various aspects of real estate investing. At the week's end, we'll discuss your findings and strategies, providing Aisha with a well-rounded investment plan.
Let's help Mrs. Patel navigate her real estate journey, learning valuable skills along the way!
Quote of the week - Leonhard Euler
This weekly segment introduces students to influential mathematicians, encouraging contemplation of their contributions and the profound impact of mathematics on society. The activity of reflecting on and displaying their quotes aims to deepen students' comprehension and appreciation of mathematical thought and its real-world relevance.
Ask the children to discuss the meaning in pairs or in groups and then discuss what all of the opinions of the class are.
Each week, we will inspire you with a quote from a famous mathematician. Mathematicians are not just individuals who work with numbers and perform calculations; they are pioneers who have helped shape our modern world and the society we live in.
Every week, we'll explore a different mathematician and learn about their contributions to the world as we know it. Read the words carefully and reflect on what the mathematician meant when they shared these famous words. You may even want to print this quote and place it on the wall in your classroom. There are 10 to collect.
‘Mathematics is literally everywhere you look!’
Weekly Keywords
Introduce the spelling word list and choose from this list of tasks that can be repeated and expanded upon if necessary.
Copy the words into a spelling list/Vocabulary book for later reference.
Put each of the new words into a sentence and underline the new vocabulary in red pencil.
Place the words in alphabetical order in a list.
Use a dictionary to define each of the words and place them into a vocabulary book.
Try to represent each of the words using a picture or a symbol and play the guessing game. (which image is matched to which word)
Write a paragraph containing all of the new vocabulary.
Make a vocabulary wall containing all of the new words.
Use a thesaurus to find synonyms for the words and create a synonym list.
These words will help you during this week’s lesson. You may already know some of these words however, practice makes perfect!
First, read the words and then try to define them as simply as possible. Work with a partner or in a group to decide what each of these terms means.
An example has been completed for you. You can write these into your books, and draw a picture to match or simply complete the task card.
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The Situation – Buying a New Computer
In this activity, students guide graphic designer Elise Nguyen in financing a $5,000 computer with a $20,000 salary. Teachers will help students analyse how different financing options – outright purchase, loans, or instalments – impact Elise's lifestyle and long-term financial health.
The focus is on understanding the trade-offs between immediate debt burden and investing in tools for future career growth. Students learn to evaluate financial decisions, considering both short-term lifestyle impacts and long-term career benefits.
Meet Ms. Elise Nguyen, a young graphic designer getting ready for her new job. She needs a powerful computer, but the big question is: how should she pay for it? Should she buy it all at once, pay in instalments, or use a finance plan?
Your task is to work with your group to think about the pros and cons of each choice. It’s not just about what’s easiest right now – it’s also about interest, repayment, and how her money will be affected in the future.
First, read the information on the task card and jot down some notes. Then, share your ideas with your group. Afterwards, we’ll listen to Dan Lakis and hear how he would solve the problem.
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The Situation - Buying Real Estate
In this activity, students assist Mrs. Aisha Patel in navigating real estate investment. Teachers will guide them to analyse property market trends, rental yields, and long-term capital growth.
Students will learn to forecast future market scenarios and calculate accumulated costs, preparing them to make informed decisions. The exercise develops analytical skills and financial literacy, focusing on strategic planning and long-term financial implications. This real-world application encourages students to think critically about investing and economic forecasting.
Step into the world of Mrs Aisha Patel, an aspiring real estate mogul. Take some time to read and understand her story, then team up with your peers to help Aisha navigate the complexities of property investment. Remember, real estate isn’t just about buying and selling—it’s about understanding market trends, rental yields, and long-term capital growth. After your discussions, we’ll come together to share our findings.
Read all the information on the task card opposite and make some notes. After your analysis and group discussions, we’ll find the detailed and important facts together and then look at an example of one of the choices she has.
Make up your Mind - Rubric and Discussion
During this lesson, children will learn decision-making through a rubric, scoring factors on a scale of 1-5. They'll evaluate different aspects, including ethics, to understand the balance between numerical analysis and moral considerations.
This exercise aims to develop their ability to make informed choices, considering both tangible data and ethical implications, thus enhancing their critical thinking and ethical reasoning skills in a practical, engaging way.
To decide, you must consider all aspects. Numbers provide some guidance for big decisions, but there are many other factors to think about.
Review the rubric provided and evaluate each bank based on the criteria, scoring them from 1-5, with 1 being the worst and 5 the best.
Add up the scores at the end of the rubric. However, before finalising your decision, think about the ethical impact and how it affects the community.
Finding The Facts
This activity involves students tackling progressively challenging questions, allowing for differentiation by outcome. As they engage with the questions, varying levels of complexity cater to diverse skill sets, encouraging each student to reach their individual potential while collaboratively exploring the subject matter.
Before you decide on this week's story, make sure you have all the important facts.
Sometimes, important numbers and info are tucked away in the story.
Work together to finish the worksheet by reading the questions carefully and figuring out the answers for each. These numbers will really help you make a choice in the next step of our class.
Your Weekly Example – Buying the Suburban House
Each week, your class will focus on a new subject and a fresh financial scenario. But before they tackle the challenge, we’ll walk through an example together to help you understand how to calculate which option may be best.
Read the information provided, make sure the children understand how the calculations were made, and then encourage them to use the same strategies to work out the problem for themselves.
Take a look at our example where we’ve calculated what it might look like for Aisha if she were to buy the suburban house.
Once you’ve understood our calculations, it’s time for you to use the same formula to work out the other two options and decide which one might be the best choice for Aisha to invest in.
Remember, even though some of the options may promise a higher return, they might not be as popular all year round.
Real World Learning - Sell a House to Your Class
In this activity, students pair up to create a real estate magazine page, promoting a house for sale. They must include price, photos, and enticing details, focusing on creativity in graphic design and persuasive writing.
This task encourages the use of persuasive devices to attract potential buyers. It's a dynamic way to integrate art, marketing, and language skills, fostering students' creativity and understanding of effective communication and design principles in a real-world context.
This week, we're diving into a fun and creative activity where you'll work in pairs to craft a page for a real estate magazine. Your task is to design a page that persuasively advertises a house for sale. Here are the features your design must include:
Price of the House: Clearly list the selling price.
Photos: Include attractive photos of the house – think about what rooms or features to showcase.
House Details: Write a brief description of the house. This should include the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, size, and any special features like a garden or a pool.
Location Benefits: Highlight the benefits of the house's location, like nearby schools, parks, or shopping areas.Contact Information: Add a section for potential buyers to contact the seller.
Unique Selling Point: Think about what makes this house special. Is it the design, the history, the neighborhood?
Make sure to emphasise this in your ad.
After completing your pages, we'll display them in the classroom. Everyone will vote on which house they would like to buy and explain their reasons.
At the end of the lesson, we'll discuss what made certain houses more appealing. Was it the way they were presented, the price, or the features? This is a great opportunity to understand the art of persuasion and the factors that influence people's decisions in real estate. Plus, it's a chance to work on your teamwork, creativity, and presentation skills!
Guided Writing - Writing A Persuasive Text
In this activity, students will write a persuasive letter to their parents, convincing them to take them to one of their favourite places — such as the zoo, a forest, or a waterfall. Using the structure and techniques from a previous example, they’ll practise presenting strong arguments, emotional appeal, and clear reasoning. This task builds persuasive writing skills in a real-world context and encourages students to express their passions in a creative and meaningful way.
Now that you’ve had a go at the power of persuasion, it’s time to put your skills into action in a fun and meaningful way! This time, you’ll be writing a persuasive letter to your parents.
Your goal? Convince them to take you to one of your favourite places in the world! It might be the zoo, a peaceful forest, a hike in the mountains, a splash in a waterfall, or any place you absolutely love.
Think carefully about why they should take you there. What makes this place so special? How will it make you feel? What will you learn or experience? Use all the persuasive tools we’ve talked about — strong reasons, emotional language, and a clear structure — to make your case!
Once your letter is finished, you’ll have the chance to read it aloud and see if your words are powerful enough to make your parents say “yes!”
Let’s get writing and see just how persuasive you can be!
Weekly Inspiration - How Tall Can a Piece of Paper Be?
This week's culmination is a fascinating story that illustrates exponential growth, building on the students' understanding of percentages. Students will watch a video about the magical folding paper, revealing how something as small as a single sheet can grow to unimaginable heights through repeated doubling.
It’s a practical and engaging way to help students grasp the power of exponential growth and explore how this concept appears in real-life situations — from maths and science to savings and technology.
After exploring percentage growth this week, we’re going to finish our learning sequence with an amazing story that will truly bend your brain!
Listen to the video opposite and discover how something as simple as folding a piece of paper can grow into something bigger than the moon! This is the power of exponential growth — where numbers double and double again, getting HUGE in just a few steps.
As you listen to the Story of the Magical Folding Paper, think about how you could use this idea in your own life — in savings, in learning, or in changing the world one step at a time!
Your Quiz and Certificate
This quiz is a culminating activity that assesses students' understanding of property investment and mortgage selection. It reinforces key mathematical concepts and ethical decision-making. Scoring 80% or more unlocks a downloadable Upschool certificate, giving students a sense of achievement while providing evidence of curriculum-linked financial literacy learning.
Now that you have mastered the art of choosing a property and selecting the right mortgage, it’s time to take the quiz and earn your certificate from Upschool.
Click the button opposite, and once you score 80% or more, you’ll receive your Upschool certificate to celebrate your mathematical journey.
