Module 15: Independent Living

Time Frame
Approximately 10 hours of instruction will be required for this module. The number of lessons will vary according to the time available for each lesson.

Foundational Objectives and Learning Objectives

Level A - Extend Knowledge Base

Foundational Objectives
Students will explore the skills needed to become independent in the areas of housing, transportation, leisure and balancing income and expenses.

Students will practise solving some of the housing, transportation and monthly expense problems encountered by those living on their own.

Learning Objectives
Students will acquire and evaluate information in order to:

• reflect on what independent living means and what it entails
• explore the types of housing available
• identify factors to consider when looking for a place to live
• list the responsibilities and rights of the tenant and the landlord
• calculate move-in costs such as rent and utilities
• practise solving potential housing problems
• compare the costs for public and private transportation
• explore the difference between purchasing a new car and a used car
• examine the implications of using credit to purchase a vehicle
• practise filling out a loan application
• identify available types of car insurance
• practise solving potential transportation problems
• list common monthly expenses
• discuss the importance of paying bills on time
• explain the information on a variety of monthly bills
• practise solving some potential problems associated with paying bills
• estimate monthly or annual leisure costs
• plan a vacation and estimate the costs.

Level B - Make an Informed Decision

Foundational Objective
Students will develop the lifelong skills of making decisions independently with regard to housing, paying bills, transportation and leisure.

Learning Objectives
Students will:

• state an independent living challenge
• list strategies (alternatives) to meet their independent living challenge
• predict the potential consequences of each alternative
• select the best strategy (alternative) based upon appropriate criteria
• formulate a goal statement that focuses on an aspect of independent living.

Level C - Carry Out Action Plan

Foundational Objective
Students will develop the ability and confidence to design and carry out action plans to prepare them for independent living.

Learning Objectives
Students will:

• design and carry out action plans to meet their independent living goal
• evaluate their action plans and revise as necessary.

The selection of the following C.E.L.s for emphasis in this module does not preclude the development of other C.E.L.s in the suggested activities and strategies.

Foundational Objective (C)
(listening, speaking, reading, writing) for differing audiences and purposes which are relevant to the students and to the subject of independent living.

Learning Objective
Students will:

• distinguish between primary and secondary sources of information.

Foundational Objective (CCT)
Students will develop an understanding of how knowledge about independent living is created, evaluated, refined, and changed over a lifetime.

Learning Objective
Students will:

• focus their attention on what they know and what they don't know about independent living.

Foundational Objective (CCT)
Students will develop both intuitive, imaginative thought and the ability to evaluate ideas, processes and experiences relevant to the topic of independent living.

Learning Objective
Students will:

• understand that real-life problems often have more than one solution.

Foundational Objective (CCT)
Students will think for themselves, recognizing the limits of individual reflection and the need to contribute to and build upon mutual understanding.

Learning Objective
Students will:

• consciously evaluate what is being read, heard or viewed.

Foundational Objective (IL)
Students will develop skills and abilities necessary to meet their own learning needs.

Learning Objectives
Students will:

• plan, manage, and evaluate personal learning experiences
• relate learning outcomes to present and future needs.

Foundational Objective (IL)
Students will develop the ability to access knowledge.

Learning Objective
Students will:

• seek out information from people who may be knowledgeable (e.g., parents, housing authority, landlords, tenants, customer service department of utility companies, car dealerships, loans officer).

Foundational Objective (N)
Students will develop an understanding of the uses and abuses of mathematical concepts in everyday life.

Learning Objective
Students will:

• transfer knowledge of mathematical concepts to everyday applications (e.g., transfer the concept of "average" to energy costs per month, transfer the concept of "interest" to a car loan, etc.).