Yes. I’m sure you’ve heard.
The Kansas House of Representatives introduced a bill about two weeks ago requiring a personal financial literacy program as a requirement for high school graduation. Not a bad idea at all. Of course, later amendments to the bill dropped the graduation prerequisite and added the requirement that schools teach “the importance and execution of an effective professional handshake.”
So . . . look out, global economy. Meet a kid with a firm grip and who looks you square in your eye? You know that’s a Jayhawk.
All semi-kidding aside, the intent of the Kansas House was spot on. Kids do need to a strong knowledge of economics and personal finance. Lucky for them April is Financial Literacy Month.
If you’re in the need of some financial literacy ideas, check out the following teaching resources – all research based and student-centered.
40 Financial Things You Should Know Before You’re Forty
Start here. Cause some of you are getting close.
Teaching Financial Literacy At Home And School
Nice article from Forbes. Cause they know a thing or two about money.
Financial Literacy Teaching Resources
Helpful tools from the US Mint. Cause they make the money.
Financial Literacy Month Resources
From the Council for Economic Education.
Kansas Center for Economic Education
This resource offers professional development, teaching resources, and competitions to demonstration your skills in basic personal finance.
Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
The Kansas City Federal Reserve offers free K-12 economic and personal finance resources and professional development opportunities for educators. Classroom materials assist with teaching basic economic and consumer education lessons
High School Financial Planning Program
This free program is a turnkey financial literacy program specifically focused on basic personal finance skills that are relevant to the lives of pre-teens, teens and young adults. A professional development component is available.
Jump$tart
A coalition of diverse financial education stakeholders who work together to educate and prepare our nation’s youth for life-long financial success. This site offers free K-12 resource which includes games, lesson plans, and classroom activities as well as professional development for teachers. Resources are juried to ensure they are quality and educationally sound.
Junior Achievement Lessons
The world’s largest organization dedicated to educating students in grades K-12 about entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs. So . . . good stuff.
Money Skill
Money Skill is a free on-line financial literacy resource for middle level through young adult audiences, provided by the American Financial Services Association.
Take Charge Today
This free program provides curriculum that includes a decision-based and activity centered approach to personal finance across the lifespan. This program includes an extensive training opportunity. This resource offers three grade level options and was previously known as the Family Economics Financial Education (FEFE) program.
EverFi
A new-media learning platform that uses the latest technology – video, animations, 3-D gaming, avatars, and social networking – to bring complex financial concepts to life for today’s digital generation.
Save money. Spend wisely. Have fun!
Filed under: 21st century skills, economics, lesson plans, tip of the week