Students “Play” at Adulthood in New Life-Skills Program

Portland, ME, May 25, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Educational publisher Walch Education has announced a new release: "What’s Next: A Simulation of Adult Life Stages."

Authored by Heidi Retzer and Dan Heisdorf, What’s Next? was developed for middle- and high-school students, or special education classes, with a focus on life-skills, consumer mathematics, or other similar curricula. Through role-playing activities, students learn the skills they will need as they transition into adulthood.

What’s Next? models four distinct stages of adulthood:
1. You Are Done with High School
2. Living on Your Own
3. You Are Married
4. You Have a Family

Throughout these units, students learn how to manage money, make critical decisions, and think carefully about issues such as bank deposits, health insurance, car payments, credit cards, food budgets, child care, and much more. As students play the game, they receive “paychecks” for completed activities. Progressing through the game, they learn how to pay bills, balance their accounts, and plan for future responsibilities.

What’s Next? is flexible, with no set amount of time for implementing the program. A teacher can use the entire program to simulate each of the four phases of adulthood, or each phase of adulthood can be used on its own for the length of time that fits the needs of the class. Each of the four simulated stages easily fits into a quarter of the school year (approximately 40 class sessions). The activities within each stage of life take between 30 to 60 minutes of the student’s time.

What’s Next? correlates to the national standards for No Child Left Behind, and addresses Federal special education laws for Individual Education Plans requiring transition to be considered for students at the age of 14 and met for students at the age of 16.

About Walch Education (www.walch.com)
Walch Education has a national reputation for extending and enhancing learning, with flexible solutions for middle school, high school, and beyond, addressing national and state standards as appropriate. Founded 80 years ago, Walch Education’s accessible and affordable products are developed by experts and an in-house educational team, in partnership with leading schools and districts nationwide.

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