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Skittles and skid row
Summary: This activity will demonstrate the
effect of different circumstances on whether a person has enough
money to make ends meet or not. The Skittles candy represents
wealth, which is divided up randomly between the participants
and won or lost based on chance.
Time: 20 to 30 minutes
Age: Middle school to adult
Materials: Skittles or other candies, plastic bags,
activity cards.
Preparation: Take plastic bags and fill them in
the following manner, for 10 bags, one bag with lots of candies;
seven bags with five candies – five of these bags will also have
a family support card; and two bags with two candies (the total
number of bags should be adjusted to the size of the group). Randomly
assign the bags to the participants and leave a pile of Skittles
in the center of the group. Print off this page and cut out the
cards, placing them in a pile face down.
Group size: 10 to 50
Procedure: Participants take turns picking
a card from the pile, then reading the card aloud. Based on the
instructions, they either gain or lose their Skittles to the pile
in the center. The Family Support Card can be used to cover one
turn after person runs out of candy. When a player uses up all
skittles and family support cards, they must leave the group and
gather in one corner of the room. After about 20 minutes, ask
participants to stop playing and to discuss the results of the
game.
Other details:
Cut out and use the activity cards below.
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You came back from Iraq alive,
but you can't sleep or concentrate. You thought you'd go
to school, but everything seems pointless. Lose 1.
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You played around
during high school, but your dad went to Yale and gives
big bucks. You are in! Get 2. |
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Your hours and days have been
cut and you're not paid for overtime. Workers who have complained
were fired. Lose 1.
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Child care costs
half of what you earn, but if you don't work you can't pay
the rent. Lose 1. |
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Your computer job moved to India
. You still haven't found work and you're getting evicted.
Lose 1.
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You didn't have good dental care
as a kid and now you have extreme pain and damage. A trip
to the dentist means a full day of lost pay. Lose 1.
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You need to get clean, but there
are always waiting lists when you feel ready to do it.
Lose 1.
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Your car breaks down again this
time for good. You can't get to your job by bus. Lose 1.
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Your family's able to pay your
college expenses so you don't have to work. Get 1.
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Your uncle owns
a business and sets you up with a great job. Get 1. |
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You had a chance at a great job,
but they won't hire if you take the bus and you can't afford
a car. Lose 1.
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You had a pretty bad drug problem,
but a private treatment center and a year with a great counselor
helped you beat it. Spend 1 and Get 2.
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Because you can't afford childcare,
you can only get a job when your kids are in school. Lose
1.
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Your daughter
had appendicitis. She's okay, but the hospital bills are
$5,600 and the collections office has started calling you.
Lose 1. |
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You graduated, but you have $30,000
in student loans to pay. Get 1 and Lose 1.
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You graduate and get a job in
your major. Life looks great. Get 2.
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The woman next door that took
care of your children during the evening shift when you
work just moved away. There is no-one to take care of your
children while you work. Lose 1.
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You lost your job, but your spouse/partner
is still working and can support you. Gain 1.
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You had a house fire and no insurance
to cover the cost of everything lost in the fire. Lose 2.
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Your great-great
grandmother just passed away and left you $15,000 in her
will. Gain 2. |
| You've
finally left a physically abusive relationship. You and
your two small children are in a shelter. Lose 1 |
You've received
food stamps and are able to buy fresh produce. Gain 1. |
| You
move to an apartment that costs less but at the same you
now depend on your car to get to work and you need new brakes
after having just paid your rent deposit. You have to take
out a loan from a pay day loan business at 30% interest.
Lose 2 |
You can't pay
your rent because were sick and missed three days of work
the week before rent was due. Your landlord charges $50
for late rent payment. Lose 1 |
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You just found out you need surgery
and you don't have health insurance. Lose 1.
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You finish the Certified Nursing
Assistant Program at the community college and are able
to get a better job. Gain 1.
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FAMILY SUPPORT CARD
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FAMILY SUPPORT
CARD |
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FAMILY SUPPORT CARD
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FAMILY SUPPORT
CARD |
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FAMILY SUPPORT CARD
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FAMILY SUPPORT
CARD |
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FAMILY SUPPORT CARD
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FAMILY SUPPORT
CARD |
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FAMILY SUPPORT CARD
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FAMILY SUPPORT
CARD |
This activity was developed by Rob Justus, Liesl
Wendt and family.
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