Here are some ideas to consider for your school:
- Real World Math - Many parent groups operate a school supply store. Why not train students to run it? Kids can manage inventory, track profits, and handle scheduling. The school supply store
can become a student-run small business and reinforce basic math concepts younger students are learning in the classroom. Don’t be surprised if the kids come up with great ideas for increasing sales! - Junior Achievers - Bring a Junior Achievement program to your school. Junior Achievement is a respected organization that teaches kids about business and finance through hands-on lesson plans delivered by parent volunteers. The West Elementary PTO in Andover, Mass., used a Junior Achievement lesson plan to run a program teaching 3rd graders how to operate a restaurant. Parents say they love interacting with kids in the classroom and teaching them how to be financially responsible.
- Wall Street Whizzes - Try a stock club with older elementary students. Find a stock-savvy parent willing to teach kids some basics of the market. Set up groups of student investors who need to work together selecting a few stocks to invest in with pretend money (see how many pick Apple!). The students then follow the real market for a period of weeks and track the performance of their stocks. Challenge the investors to figure out when or if they should buy or sell.
