Budget Makeover - Have Something Done

How to use this activity:

Setup

• Share your screen or send the game link to students
• Set a target amount at the start (e.g. $30,000)

Individual lessons

• Student chooses a letter and number to open a safe
• Read the situation, start the timer
• Student must produce the required sentences in time to win the money
• You judge whether sentences are correct — count wins, note errors
• Repeat until time or safes run out; check if they hit the target

Group lessons

• Students take turns choosing a safe — one player or team per turn
• Others listen and may challenge if a sentence sounds wrong
• You are the final judge
• For teams, both members can contribute sentences
• Tally money after each turn; highest total at the end wins

Feedback

• Don't interrupt during the turn — let the student finish
• Collect errors and do a short correction slot at the end
• If a sentence is grammatically correct but awkward, count it as a win and note it

Tip

• Use one situation without the timer as a warmer before the first round