Before reading, ask students to look at the cover and use the See-Think-Wonder strategy.
During reading ask students to find out how and why Curious George decided to save his pennies.
Now, read the Choices, Choices text. At the end of the story, Curious George had a choice to make. When he decided to share his money with the little girl who found his piggy bank, he made a choice. What were the costs of the choice he made? What were the benefits of the choice he made?
Curious George was happy with his decision to share his money. Think of some ways he can earn more money so he can buy the train he really wanted. Use the saving and spending and buying and saving informational texts we created. What advice could you give to Curious George if he wanted to save more money?
Please, Please, the Bees is a great story to use if you want to introduce concepts, such as: wants and needs; goods and services; jobs; and, trade. Before reading, present the cover to the students. Ask them what they think the story is about. Why are the bees on strike?
During reading, ask students to find out why the bees are on strike. They should also look for the following:
After reading, use the Once Upon a Bee-conomy book to extend the text!
Here are more informational texts on bees to share with students. Students can gather more information about how bees are important to our economy.
Opportunity cost is the next best alternative you give up when you make a choice, as illustrated in the slideshow below.
A great book to use to discuss opportunity cost is Something from Nothing, a story about a boy named Joseph whose grandfather gives him a blanket when he is born. While you read, have students watch for problem points in the story. When he outgrows one thing, what does his grandfather decide to do?
Each time Joseph and his grandfather make a decision to make something smaller, they give up the opportunity to keep the item as is. As Joseph grows older, so does the blanket so they decide to turn it into something smaller: a jacket. As Joseph grows older, they make more decisions: the jacket becomes a vest, the vest becomes a tie, the tie becomes a handkerchief, and the handkerchief becomes a button.
The Federal Reserve has an interesting lesson plan that focuses on opportunity cost in the story. In the lesson, the students use a piece of paper to represent the blanket. Each time you come to the part where the grandfather's scissors go Snip, Snip, Snip, the students cut out a piece of the paper. Ask them to discuss the opportunity cost-the thing they gave up-when they decided to make something new.
Extensions:
What Pet Should I Get is an excellent book to teach students about decision-making. The book is about a brother and sister who have to make a decision about buying a pet. While you read, have your students watch for alternatives (types of pets) and criteria (things about the pets, like cost, care, size, etc.).
Below, you will find a decision-making slideshow activity to use with the book. In the activity, you can use the letter from Kay (in the slideshow below) where she outlines all of the criteria found in the book. Using the What Pet Decision Matrix below, students follow instructions to make a decision.
Use the decision-making matrix to decide what pet Kay and her brother should get.
Peter Rabbit is a delightful tale about a little rabbit who often hops down the wrong path. Use Peter Rabbit to discuss the unintended consequences of choices. Start the discussion by asking students about the many decisions they have to make in a day. What should you eat for breakfast? What should you wear? Should you brush your teeth? Should you jump in the mud puddle? They discuss both good and bad consequences of some of their decisions. You can use the Project Gutenberg Tale of Peter Rabbit original or the StorylineOnline.net version below, read by Rose Byrne (who stars in the new movie; the trailer is below).
After you read the story, use the Once about a Decision slideshow to illuminate more economic concepts.
You can also check out the trailer below, the official movie Peter Rabbit Website for the movie and the StorylineOnline.net Teacher Guide for more Peter Rabbit activities.
Bad Kitty is a funny book that provides an opportunity to teach about goods and services.
Before Reading: Show the cover of the book. Ask students why they think the book is called Bad Kitty. Then ask: What is the opposite of Bad Kitty? When they say good kitty, write the word Good. Then put an 's' after good so it says Goods. Tell students they are going to learn another meaning of the word goods. Read the informational text we created about goods and services.
During Reading: Tell students to take note of all the goods and services they see in the book. Most of these will be found on the A-Z food pages. Ask students to draw some of the goods and services Bad Kitty provided.
After Reading. Take photos of goods or people doing services to create an alphabet book! Download the free alphabet organizer from ReadWriteThink.org to create your own goods and services alphabet book.
These ideas were adapted from the lesson I wrote for EconEdLink.org. https://econedlink.org/resources/bad-kitty-gets-good-goods-and-services/ Extension: Use the BadKitty website to find great activities and videos to use with the books!
Resources for webinar The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
Go to Nearpod.com
Here is a curated collection of resources that we have posted on Wakelet.
Resources for webinar One Plastic Bag: Using Innovation and Entrepreneurial Thinking to Solve Problems
Here are the materials for the One Hen and a Focus on Social Entrepreneurship webinar,
Go to Nearpod.com.
Check out the Wakelet (like Pinterest for educators) we created to bookmark resources.
INQUIRY-BASED ACTIVITIES WITH A FLORIDA FOCUS: USING QUESTIONING AND FINANCIAL DECISION-MAKING TO ENGAGE STUDENTS
Go to Nearpod.com .
Entrepreneurial Thinking in Florida
Florida Entrepreneurs Lessons
Here are some Read Aloud Think Aloud questions to use with the story.
Check out the ABC story we created to accompany the test! Download on Google Slides.
Make infographics with Canva https://www.canva.com/.
You can use the Make the World a Better Place template. The Lorax is a classic text that teaches about the decisions humans have made with resources in the past. In this inquiry activity, we investigate some of the problems of the past, and put on our entrepreneurial thinking caps to create solutions for the future. We have embedded two versions of the text: a read-aloud of the book and the original movie version–which follows the text of the book. During reading or viewing, have students watch for some problem points in the text. You can also use the read-aloud think-aloud questions (download the book marks) to pause at points during the text to illuminate economic and financial concepts.
After reading: Consider the Once-ler's name. Why was he given this name? Think about some of the big problems created by the Once-ler's decisions.The Once-ler decided to consider right-now profit, without taking into consideration the long-term consequences of his choices. What happens when you cut down all the trees without planting new ones? What happens when you run a business that pollutes the air and water? Miss Rumphius links to the financial literacy standards by considering where and how we will choose to give back. In terms of giving, we make decisions about donating money, time, or our talents. When we give, we impact many others. Before reading, watch this Kid President video on how good spreads. During Reading, consider what Miss Rumphius gave. How did her giving spread? After reading, think of one way you can make the world a better place. Do you want to spread beautiful flowers? Then, consider using native Florida Wildflowers so you can help pollinators. By providing food for our pollinators, you contribute to the health of these insects and their ability to provide food!
Just Saving My Money is a great story to teach about . . . saving money!
Before Reading: Ask students to look at the book cover and use the See-Think-Wonder strategy. What do you see on the cover? Based on what you see, what do you think the story will be about? What questions do you have?
During Reading: Use the sampler to find Little Critter's problem.
How do you think he can make and save money to buy a new skateboard? Watch the rest of the story below, taking note of the things Little Critter did to make money.
After Reading: What did he do with his money? Do you think it was a good or bad decision? What would you have done?
Now check out this informational text and lesson we created on buying and saving. After you read, what is some advice you would give to Little Critter? Those Shoes is a great book to use when you want to talk about needs and wants, scarce resources, and making decisions that reflect social-emotional learning. Before Reading: Use See-Think-Wonder with the cover of the book. What do you see? What do you think is happening? Based on what you see, what do you think will happen? What do you wonder? During Reading: Ask students to watch for ways Jeremy tries to get those shoes. Download the bookmark for some read-aloud, think-aloud questions that accompany the text.
After Reading: What do you think about Jeremy's decision? How did he practice good citizenship? What were the rewards for his decision?
Open-ended Inquiry: This is a tricky image. If you can 't figure out what it is, the answer is below the See-Think-Wonder chart! Show this image to students and ask them to tell you what they see. Ask: Based on what you see, what do you think this is? Then, ask students to record their wonder questions that they can use to conduct inquiry.
This is a picture of a safe that was originally located in the Cedar Key Bank. Now it is exhibited at the the Cedar Key Historical Society in Cedar Key, Florida.
Directed Questions: Why do you think it is called a safe? Below, there is a modern image of a bank safe or vault. What are the similarities and differences? Why do you think a bank needs a safe or vault? What do you think a bank keeps inside the safe or vault? Did you know that banks do not store all of the money? They only hold a small percentage of money that is deposited in the bank. For example, if you deposit $100 in a bank, the bank might hold $10 and loan out $90 to other people. The money they hold in a bank is called a reserve.
Now, check out these Florida Financial Literacy standards-based questions:
Use the News Extension Activity
Use your local newspaper to find articles about banks. What did you learn? What questions do you have? Conduct an online search to find answers to your questions. Open-ended Inquiry: For an open-ended inquiry activity based on an image, begin with See-Think-Wonder. Ask students what the see in the image. If they don't notice the nutrition sheet under the fries, direct their attention. Ask students what they think. For example, you might ask them to inference why they think fries are sitting on top of a nutrition information sheet. Then, ask students what they wonder about. The questions they ask will be their questions for inquiry.
Directed Questions: Are fries a wise food choice? As humans, we have basic needs: food, shelter, and clothing. However, there are also things we may want to buy. Although food is a need, when we make decisions about eating, we might french fries. Consider the costs and benefits of choosing french fries over a more healthy option. Now, check out the grade-specific Financial Literacy Standards-based Questions. Use the News Extension Activity
Search newspaper flyers to find some more healthy snack options. Create an advertisement for your yummy replacement! Open-ended Inquiry: This historic photo of McMillan's Shell store in Estero, Florida–taken around 1930–is part of the Florida Center for Instructional Technology's (FCIT) historic photo's collection. Show this image to students and use the See-Think-Wonder Strategy below to engage your students in open-ended inquiry. See is all about the evidence that is in the photo. Think is about making inferences and interpretations about what you think is going on in the photo, based on what you see. Wonder is about asking questions to further inquiry about the image.
Directed Inquiry: Ask students: What goods do they sell in the shop? How do you think the owner gets the goods to sell in his shop? Now look at the photo of a more modern souvenir shop in Florida. Ask students: Would you shell out some money at Shell World? What do you think "shell out some money" means? "Shell out some money" is an idiom originating in the 1800's. It transfers the meaning of taking a seed or nut out of its shell into taking money out of a pocket or wallet. Now compare and contrast the similarities and differences between the shell souvenir shops then and now?
Now, here are some Florida Financial Literacy Standards-based Questions: Use the News Extension Activity
Search a newspaper for advertisements from souvenir or gift shops. Then, create your own advertisement for Shell World or McMillan's Shells. Open-Ended Inquiry Activity: Here is an open ended inquiry. Use the See-Think-Wonder Strategy with this photograph from a market in Florida. Ask students to describe what they see. Then ask them to tell you what they think is happening. Finally, inspire students to ask their own questions that will guide their inquiry.
Directed Questions: Here are some directed questions you can use with students. What are they selling? How much do they cost? You can also use this photo to create some mathematics problems. For younger children, tell them the cucumbers are on sale for $1.00 each. Here are Grade-specific, Standards-based Questions for Financial Literacy Use the News Extension Activity
Check out flyers in your newspaper to create grocery lists of some of your favorite fruits and vegetables. What can you buy with a budget of $10.00? What about $20.00? How much would it cost to feed your family with those groceries? Open Ended Inquiry: Engage students in an open-ended inquiry with this image by using the See-Think-Wonder Strategy below. Asking them what they see allows them to focus on evidence in the visual text. Asking them what they think focuses their attention on making inferences about what they see. Then, asking them what they wonder provides an opportunity for them to ask questions and conduct research to answer those questions.
Directed Questions: Here are some directed questions you can use with students. Where do you think this photo was taken? Do you think this is a recent photo or a historical photo? What details make you think it is historical? You can click on the photo to find out more information about the source. Where do you think this sign was located? What is it telling you? Directed Standards-based Questions for K-12 Florida Financial Literacy: Use the News Extension Activity Find some advertisements for shoes in the newspaper. How do the advertisers use images and words to try to influence you to buy the shoes? Create an advertisement for your favorite shoes. Open-ended Inquiry: Based on the image and the caption, use the See-Think-Wonder activity to inspire your students to ask questions and find answers!
Here are some general questions to use with the image: How does your family do laundry today? What are some of the goods you need to do laundry at home? How does a laundromat make money? What goods or services does a laundromat provide? What about a dry-cleaner? How do you think dry-cleaning is different from laundry? Now here are some standards-based financial literacy questions: Use the News Extension Activity
Check your local newspaper for advertisements about laundromats and dry cleaners. What are some of the goods and services they offer? Open-ended Inquiry: This is a photo of a market place in India. Use the chart below to engage inquiry in your students as they tell you what they see and think. Then, inspire them to ask any questions they wonder about and conduct online research to find answers.
Here are some Florida Financial Literacy standards-based questions. Use the News Extension Activity
Check out your local newspaper for information about local markets. Sometimes local farmers advertise their goods in the classifieds, especially when they have a pick-your-own event. Did you find any? Open-ended Inquiry: Check out this image. Ask student what they see, think, and wonder. After they record their wonder questions, they can engage in inquiry to share their findings!
The above image of an advertisement for the Tampa Bay Hotel, which was built by Henry B. Plant after he built railroads throughout the state of Florida. He also connected Florida's railways to Georgia, which helped open the state for trade and travel. Now, check out these Florida Financial Literacy standards-based questions. Use the News Extension Activity
Check out the Tampa Bay Times NIE All Aboard for readings and activities on the history of railroads in Tampa Bay. Open-ended Inquiry: Before telling students about the image, show them the image. Then ask them what they see, think, and wonder. Use their questions to guide inquiry.
Directed questions: The above image is a grocery receipt from a store in Florida. Read the receipt. What do you notice? Do you think this a recent receipt or was it made in the past? How do you know? Where was the store located? Compare and contrast the Fuller Company receipt with the one below. What are the similarities and differences? Now, here are some Florida Financial Literacy standards-based questions: Use the News Extension Activity
Use the flyers from your local grocery stores. Create grocery lists and add up the amount your groceries cost. Compare and contrast different shops. What did you find? Open-ended Inquiry: Show the image to students and engage them in inquiry. First, ask them what they see in the image. Their answers should reflect evidence in the image and words. Then ask: What do you think this is about? Student answers should include inferences they make based on the evidence they see in the text. Finally, ask them to come up with their own questions by asking them what they wonder about the image. Students conduct online research to find answers to their own questions.
Directed Questions: These black and white photos show the First National Bank of Tampa in 1883 and the lobby inside the building of the bank in 1927. Ask: What is a bank? Explain how people keep their money in a bank so it stays safe and the bank pays you interest-a little bit of money-when you leave it in the bank. Below there is an image of a more modern bank. What are the similarities and differences between the banks of yesterday and today? Here are some Florida Financial Literacy standards-based questions. Some of the questions use the How Will My Savings Grow calculator. Use the News Extension Activity
Check through your newspaper for some advertisements from banks. What types of services do they offer? |
AuthorDeborah Kozdras, Ph.D. Archives
February 2022
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