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LHS students learn home and finance skills in new class
LHS News is a presentation of Ludington High School in partnership with Mason County Press.
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
LUDINGTON — Most adults have to learn to manage their finances including paying for a place to live, buying food, paying utility bills, credit card bills, and many other expenses. At the same time, living on your own, especially home ownership, means learning some basic home repairs (or paying someone else to do it). Students at Ludington High School are now learning some “adult” lessons through the Home and Finance class, which debuted this trimester. The class is being taught jointly by industrial arts teacher Dan LaDuke and home economics teacher Jennifer Rowe.
During the 12-week trimester, students learn how to manage their money and basic home repairs. They spend six weeks in lecture, taught by Rowe, learning basic financing skills. They then spend six weeks in the lab, taught by LaDuke, learning some do-it-yourself home repairs. The class is split into two sections.
Rowe said students earn “money” in the class by the amount of effort they put into the course. Their grades also reflect their in-class credit score. Part of their final project is to search websites, anywhere in the county, and find a house to purchase. They then have to explain how they will finance the house.
“They also have to shop for furniture and appliances,” Rowe said.
In the lab portion of the class students learn basic skills in electricity, tiling, floor covering, carpeting, painting and plumbing.
“These are just some basic skills and our goal is to build the students’ confidence levels,” LaDuke said.
Feedback from the students has been positive.
“I’ve been excited about both parts of this class,” said Levi Laman. “You always hear about taxes and loans, and this class just gives me a better idea about what to do after school. Learning home maintenance also has taught me some skills on repairing things around the house.”
Angel Petersen-Young said the class is teaching her about living on her own.
“These are just things that I need to know on my own. It’s been really good,” Peterson-Young said.
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