Skip to main content
Banzai Logo

Reality Fair 101

9-12th Grades
45 min

Summary

A Reality Fair turns abstract budgeting into a face-to-face negotiation with rent, groceries, and car payments. This lesson kicks off the capstone unit by orienting students to how the fair works and walking them through the student workbook they'll carry through every booth.

Activities

Bellringer: Adulting on Paper

  • Pose the scenario: you earn $3,200/month after taxes—can you afford a $1,500 apartment?
  • Quick poll: thumbs up, thumbs down, or unsure.
5 min

Instruction

  • Define what the reality fair is—and isn't.
  • Walk the four color rotations: green, yellow, pink, blue, and their booths.
  • Preview the Future Finder Coach and grading by workbook accuracy.
10 min

Activity: Reality Fair Pretest

  • Students test what they already know about key topics in the Reality Fair.
5 min

Activity: Future Finder Coach

  • Students log into Banzai and run the Future Finder Coach once, no do-overs.
  • Transfer results to the profile page on page 1 of the workbook.
10 min

Activity: Reality Fair Workbook

  • Students fill out page 1, their Future Finder Profile.
5 min

Discussion: Whose Hand Wins?

  • Pairs compare profile summaries—net income, debt, credit.
  • Debate whether a 'limiting' profile ruins the fair.
  • Contrast teen spending with inherited adult bills.
5 min

Wrap-Up & Assessment

  • What's one decision you want to think through before fair day?
  • What's the purpose of the reality fair?
5 min

Lesson Prep

Reality Fair Pretest thumbnail

Reality Fair Pretest

Find out what you know before diving into the Reality Fair.

Future Finder thumbnail

Future Finder

Students will create their profile for the Banzai Reality Fair!

Reality Fair Workbook thumbnail

Reality Fair Workbook

Complete the "Future Finder Profile Page" on page 1 of the workbook.

Class Presentation

Includes a 22-slide deck with teacher notes. Present from Banzai, download a PDF, or copy it to Google Slides.

Presentations, Ready to Go

  • Built-in PresentationPresent full screen, straight from Banzai
  • Copy to Google SlidesMake an editable copy for your class
  • Download or PrintSave as a PDF or print
  • Teacher NotesSlide-by-slide guidance, printable as one handout

Unit 12: Capstone: Reality Fair

1
Current Lesson

Reality Fair 101

A Reality Fair turns abstract budgeting into a face-to-face negotiation with rent, groceries, and car payments. This lesson kicks off the capstone unit by orienting students to how the fair works and walking them through the student workbook they'll carry through every booth.

9-12th Grades
45 Min
2

The Day of the Reality Fair

A balanced budget can break from a single unrecorded swipe at a sale rack. This lesson preps students for the fast-paced reality fair by drilling the rule that no booth gets left behind without a logged choice and an updated scorecard.

9-12th Grades
45 Min
3

Reality Fair Reflection

The reality fair is over, but the learning continues. This lesson uses guided discussion to turn fair-day decisions into lasting financial insight.

9-12th Grades
45 Min

How do Banzai lesson plans work? See the FAQ.

Banzai is FREE for teachers and students. Go ahead.

Sign Up Free