Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday 3rd grade selection Lesson wants versus needs, money values

Transcription

1 Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday 3rd grade selection Lesson wants versus needs, money values You will need: Copy of Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday - provided Flip chart or chalkboard if available Wants and needs sheet provided Goal sheet - provided Tips for reading to the students: Prepare by reading the story/script/lesson plan ahead of time. When you're in front of the students, get excited about the story. Describe the pictures when you're reading. They may be able to see the pages but not well. Walk around with the book when you read. Read with expression, changing your tone and voice for different characters and situations. Ask the librarian/teacher for assistance! Good morning/afternoon everyone. My name is and I am a CPA. Does anyone know what a CPA is? A CPA is a certified public accountant. Does anyone know what a CPA does at work? Some of the things a CPA can do at work is advise people and businesses on how to save and spend money. One other thing CPAs do is come to talk with students just like you. We want you to understand as much as you can about money and how to be smart when you spend it. Let's get started!

2 Explain - In the book I m about to read, there s a lot of talk about money. Most of the money is in the form of coins. Ask - Does anyone have a piggy bank with coins in it at home? Explain - Before we read, let s review what each coin is worth. *You can write this on the board or flip chart if available. For example, you could write Quarter = 25 cents. It s up to you! Ask How much is a quarter worth? That s the largest of all the coins. A quarter is worth 25 cents. Ask how much is a dime worth? Dimes are the smallest and thinnest coin. A dime is worth 10 cents. Ask How much is a nickel worth? A nickel is worth 5 cents. Ask How much is a penny worth. The penny is the only coin of the bunch that isn t silver. The penny is worth 1 cent. Explain - Each coin has a person s face on it. Does anyone know who the people on the coins are? George Washington, Franklin Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln. Ask - What do those people have in common? They were all Presidents of the United States. Read the story.

3 Explain When people earn money, they sometimes have a goal of what they want to spend that money on. Does anyone have a particular thing they would like to save their money to buy? *You could also share what YOU might be saving for! Explain Alexander had a goal, didn t he? What did Alexander want to buy? What did his brothers always say he d never save enough money to buy? (He wanted to buy walkie-talkies). Ask Was Alexander able to save his money to buy the walkie-talkies? (No, he spent his money on other things). MOVE ON TO ACTIVITY 1

4 Activity 1 Wants versus Needs You will need: Picture sheets Pens/pencils (teachers to provide) Pass out the sheets which have pictures on both sides (DVDs, Car, etc.). Ask Do you think Alexander planned to spend his money on all the other things he bought or did he just buy whatever got his attention? (Alexander did NOT plan! He bought whatever he wanted!) Ask Did Alexander NEED any of the things he bought? (This is open to discussion. Some of the students may say he did, some may say he didn t). Explain Many people spend their money on things they need and save for things they want. The trick is to decide what an item is a need or a want. Ask the group: What is a WANT? What is a NEED? (Remember to tell them that there is no right or wrong answer!) Define a want and a need for them - Want something you would like to have Need something necessary for survival 1) Tell the students Circle the items on the sheet that are needs. Ask for volunteers to tell everyone which items they circled. Why is this item a need?

5 2) Next, have the students put stars next to the items that are wants. Let them know that they can put stars next to the things they have already circled. Ask for volunteers to tell everyone which items they put stars next to and why. Then, ask if anyone had a star next to something that was also circled. Explain how some things can be both wants AND needs. For example a car can be something you want, instead of taking the bus or train, and something you need because it gets you to work. MOVE ON TO ACTIVITY 2

6 You will need: Goal Sheet provided Activity 2 Goals Here is what Alexander COULD have done once he decided he really wanted to buy those walkie talkies 1) Have each of the students choose something they d like to buy in the future. This would be something they pay for, not something they ask for a birthday or holiday. Have them fill in the I would like to buy line with this item. 2) Ask - How much does your goal cost? If they are unsure, help them estimate a cost. The teacher/librarian can help you with student questions. Have them put the cost next to the name of the item they would like to buy. 3) Ask - How can you earn money? Have them list some other activities they can do to earn money. There are 3 lines for them to list their ideas. Ask for a volunteer to share their ideas. You can add some more ideas: dog walking, car washing, a lemonade stand, gardening, helping a neighbor, etc. Remind them to get their parents permission before doing any of these activities. 4) Ask - What does it mean to comparison shop? Comparison shopping to shop at more than one place to compare the price of a product Ask - Why do you think people comparison shop? What are the benefits? Ask - How can they do this without physically going to every store? Some examples: internet search, calling the store, buying the Sunday newspaper to find circulars from other stores. 5) Have the students list a few places on their sheet where they might be able to buy the item they would like to buy.