Students get Lessons for Managing Money
AVENUE CITY, MO. — A make-believe mouse taught a group of students Monday afternoon how to identify goods and services as part of a storybook economy.
The Money Club — a course sponsored by Andrew County University Extension — concluded a five-session run for an after-school program at the Avenue City Elementary School. Dr. Rebecca Travnichek, county program director and family financial education specialist, led the program with assistance from Extension faculty member Carol Williams.
The club’s intent, according to Dr. Travnichek, was “to get them (students) thinking about finance and economics.”
Ms. Williams said the students have used their time since September discovering how their parents spend money. Popcorn, for example, was used to illustrate cost and taste comparisons based on price. “Gotcha” advertising was also studied.
Board games were used to teach the value of allowances. Drawings and worksheets imparted financial knowledge. Various occupations were addressed.
A “money apron” helped the students identify currency denominations, shapes, colors, and amounts.
“I actually bring the real thing,” Dr. Travnichek said.
The National Center for Economic Education created the Money Club, which was adapted into an “Economics and Finance in Children’s Literature” 4-H curriculum.
The children’s book “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” demonstrated economic realities for the students.
“All the mouse wants is a good for a service,” Dr. Travnichek said.
The students followed the story to identify items such as nail clippers as a good, while sweeping floors was labeled as a service that was provided.
The problem of unlimited wants and “gimmies” were also covered in the class, especially in light of holiday spending.
Later in the final session, the students drew pictures of goods and services that will be scanned, assembled and distributed as a book — with one copy slated for the school library.
As part of their graduation ceremony, the students received piggy banks and pencils made from recycled money. Liam Hunter said he learned about needs and wants, along with goods and services.
“You should save your money because you can run out,” he said.
Daire Karr learned the value of good spending habits.
“Don’t spend your money,” she said. “Use it wisely.”
The 2-year-old program is designed for kindergarten through the sixth grade. The Money Club has also been held at the John Glenn Elementary and Amazonia schools, and is planned for the North Andrew School District in the spring.
Ray Scherer can be reached at ray.scherer@newspressnow.com.
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