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Grades K-12 Student Financial Literacy Passport Books Professional DevelopmentVideos, Music, PPTS
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Fourth Grade - Language Arts
Activities
ABCs of Saving
Financial and Economic Concepts: Savings and Financial Investments
Fourth Grade – Language Arts
Standard 1: Oral Language Students develop language for the purpose of effectively communicating though listening, speaking, viewing, and presenting.
Objective 2: Develop language through viewing media and presenting.
Time: 45 Minutes
Materials: Computer with Internet, projector, writing materials
Part I - ABCs of Saving
Present the information contained in the file by either projecting in with a projector or let the students access it themselves. Teachers may also use the presentation to guide a classroom discussion. Be sure to emphasize the ABCs of savings by pointing our A is for AIM, B is for BANK, and C is for COINS and CURRENCY. As a class, answer the discussion questions found in the complete lesson plan under Think About It.
Part II - ABCs of Saving - Assessment
After viewing the ABCs of Saving and completing the lesson Part I - ABCs of Saving" have students complete the following worksheet.
ABCs of Saving Worksheet (pdf)
When the students have finished the worksheet, complete the Assessment Activity portion of the complete lesson plan.
Business Brainstorm
Financial and Economic Concepts: Entrepreneurism Fourth Grade – Language Arts
Standard 1: Oral Language Students develop language for the purpose of effectively communicating through listening, speaking, viewing, and presenting.
Objective 2: Develop language through viewing media and presenting.
Time: 20 Minutes
Materials: Option between computer with internet/projector or handouts
This visual can be projected via an LCD projector during class. Teachers may also use the presentation to guide a classroom discussion. Use it to help students brainstorm what types of jobs would be suitable for them to pursue. Printed format at left with content only.
Twenty Money-Making Ideas (pdf)
After viewing the visual or discussing the printout discuss words that students did not know or understand. Have them suggest the meaning of the new words before you tell them. Have them use the surrounding words to figure out the meaning of the new words. Then have students come up with at least five ideas of ways they can make money that have not been mentioned.
The Ant and the Grasshopper
Financial and Economic Concepts: Scarcity and Choices Fourth Grade – Language Arts
Standard 6: Vocabulary Students learn and use grade level vocabulary to increase understanding and read fluently.
Objective 3: Use structural analysis and context clues to determine meanings of words.
Time: 20-40 Minutes
Materials: Handouts, audio player
- Pass out a copy of "The Ant and the Grasshopper" for each student.
The Ant and the Grasshopper (pdf)
- Have them read the fable once, circling five words they do not know.
- Listen to "The Ant and the Grasshopper"
The And and the Grasshopper (MP3 download)
- Have students figure out the meaning of the five words they circled by using the context around those words.
- In pairs, have students explain their words to their partner.
The following questions about "The Ant and the Grasshopper" should also be discussed and reflected upon with your students.
- What were the ants saving for? [Food for the winter]
- What did the ants give up? [Time playing or relaxing]
- What was the grasshopper's opportunity cost? [Food for winter]
- What have you had to give up to get something else? [answers will vary]
Opportunity cost: The second-best alternative (or the value of that alternative) that must be given up when scarce resources are used for one purpose instead of another.
Basic Economics
Financial and Economic Concepts: Supply and Demand Fourth Grade – Language Arts
Standard 6: Vocabulary Students learn and use grade level vocabulary to increase understanding and read fluently.
Objective 3: Use structural analysis and context clues to determine meanings of words.
Social Studies for Kids - this site gives a very simple overview and great examples of supply and demand. Definitions of supply and demand are given and basic economic concepts are broken down in a very basic, understandable way.
Excerpt:
“One of the most basic concepts of economics is supply and demand. These are really two separate things, but they are almost always talked about together.
Supply and demand are two very strong market concepts. Studying the two of them can give you a good idea of what people like to buy and sell. And you can track both supply and demand by comparing the price of an item over time.”
Entrepreneur Ad
Financial and Economic Concepts: Entrepreneurism Fourth Grade – Language Arts
Standard 7: Comprehension Students understand, interpret, and analyze narrative and informational grade level text.
Objective 3: Recognize and use features of narrative and informational text.
Time: 30 Minutes
Materials: Writing materials, art supplies
Have the students choose one money-making idea and create a flier that advertises what they are selling. Emphasize the elements that they will want to include in their flier.
Evaluate using the rubric below.
Complete Lesson Plan (See Activity 2)
Entrepreneur Ad Rubric (pdf)
Making Choices
Financial and Economic Concepts: Scarcity & Choices Fourth Grade – Language Arts
Standard 8: Writing-Students write daily to communicate effectively for a variety of purposes and audiences.
Objective 2: Compose a written draft.
Time: 30 Minutes
Materials: Writing materials
This lesson teaches students the answers to questions such as: What does the word choice mean? Why do we have to make choices when we decide how to spend money? What are some things that kids spend money on?
Have students bring in and discuss examples from books, magazines, and movies where people deal with budgets and make decisions about how to spend money. What decisions were made, and why?
Everyone has to make decisions when it comes to spending money. Directions for Writing: Think about a time when you had to decide how to spend money. Now explain why you made the choice that you did.
Student Magazine Pages and Worksheets: Time to Choose! (pdf)
Savings
Financial and Economic Concepts: Scarcity & Choices Fourth Grade – Language Arts
Standard 8: Writing-Students write daily to communicate effectively for a variety of purposes and audiences.
Objective 2: Compose a written draft.
Time: 30 Minutes
Materials: Writing materials
This lesson helps students understand saving and why it is important. It will also help students understand interest.
Student Magazine Pages and Worksheets: How Money Can Grow (pdf)
