Friday, April 15, 2011

Teaching Your Students About Money Management In a Tough Economy

... and win a $200 cash Grant and Flip Video Camera

The economy is brutal right now—which means it's more important than ever to teach our students about money management. And you don't have to be an economics teacher to do it—social studies teachers can integrate discussions of money management into many of their lessons, Math teachers can teach finance while teaching math basics and English teachers can have students write or journal about money-related topics.  By working together, we can raise a generation that's ready to take on the economy and manage their money wisely.  Here are a few ways that you can get started:

1. Use Blogs.  Blogs are a great resource for real-life topics like money management because they give real-life advice. Have your students find and print a series of blog articles on a variety of money management topics and then compile them into a reference folder or book so they have something to reference when they have money management questions.  (Need a place to start?  Here are two great money management articles:  One on using credit cards wisely and the other on being a smart consumer.)
http://linxcareerlifeskillsblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/your-new-credit-card.html 
http://linxcareerlifeskillsblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/be-smart-consumer.html

2. Use RSS Feeds.  While researching blog articles on money management, your students are sure to find some great money management blogs.  Subscribe to a few of your favorites and then spend a few minutes at the beginning of class reading through their latest posts.http://linxcareerlifeskillsblog.blogspot.com

3. Use DVDs and Videos.  If you didn't major in accounting or economics, you might not know everything there is to know about money management.  But that's okay!  Pick up a few informative and grade-appropriate DVDs on Money Management and use them to supplement your classroom discussions.  http://www.linxedu.com/Money_Management_s/165.htm

4. Use Your Own Stories.  Did you learn the hard way about the dangers of credit cards when you were in college?  Or did you find a way to create a budget that has worked really well?  Tell your students what you do to manage your money so that they can learn from you.

5. Use Games.   Kids love playing games.  So, challenge your class to the "Smart Consumer Challenge" where they'll learn budgeting, get money-saving tips and learn how to be a smart shopping in a fast-paced and fun game!  http://www.linxedu.com/SMART_CONSUMER_CHALLENGE_GAME_p/54-ac07.htm

Your turn:  Have a great idea on how to teach money management to kids?  Tell us about it and you could win $200 and a Flip Video Camera or the Smart Money DVD series for your classroom!  Apply now.
http://www.weareteachers.com/ideas/partnerask?grantId=58