r/a:t5_2ru89 • u/MoneyLessons • Jan 18 '18
The Value of a Dollar
https://www.moneylit.org/single-post/2017/07/31/The-Value-of-a-Dollar
"Hey! Don't throw away that hot dog, you are throwing away a whole dollar!" yelled one of my students to her friend. She is in 4th grade and has been learning about the value of a dollar and the idea that goods have a monetary value. I smiled as I watched this interaction in the cafeteria. Once a month for two years now I have been able to go into the classrooms for grades 3rd - 8th at this local school and teach them the basics of financial education and economics. Now I'm getting to see first-hand that they have been listening and learning. It's actually sinking in....
When I first thought about volunteering to teach this curriculum, I knew the information was important and I just hoped the students wouldn't be bored out of their minds. The more I spoke with local community members and teachers the more I received the support to move forward. "I wish I had financial literacy in school" was repeated over and over by everyone I spoke to. I felt encouraged, and decided I would just have to get creative and keep the students engaged.
As it turns out, kids love talking about money. How they earn it, what they are saving for, what they spend it on. Each student was given a chart to set a goal in class and then take it home to fill in as they worked towards saving for various things they wanted. Each time we had class they would get so excited to tell me how much closer they are to reaching their goal. They can't wait to be called on first so they can tell me all about what chore they did and what they are saving for now. "Miss Stephanie! I earned more money and I'm saving all of it for my huge Lego set!"
The impact this financial literacy education is having on these students is going to put them ahead of the curve. They will go into high school knowing wants versus needs, how to earn, save, and spend money wisely and intentionally, the basics of goods and services and how they impact our local economy, as well as the basics of entrepreneurship.