Friday, December 30, 2016
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
How to Teach Children the Value of Money
When my grandsons lived nearby, I took them on several
small trips during their summer vacation each year. As a teacher, I had time
off too. We went to zoos, museums, whale watching, etc. To save money, the first
stop we made on the first trip each summer was to a gift shop. There I let them
buy any hat they wanted. I didn’t even look at the price.
This was their only souvenir for the entire summer. No matter
how many places we went, I paid for gas, tickets and food. When they were
older, and the trips became longer, I also paid the hotel bill. At mealtime I
taught them about leaving tips, dining where there were discounts and the like.
They learned how to stretch the budget so money was left over for more rides at the
zoo and other attractions.
On a weeklong trip to San Diego, we hit all the famous
sites. As always, the first stop was at a gift shop where each bought a
commemorative hat. Two days later, while walking through the San Diego Zoo, my younger grandson learned about "opportunity cost". Something
on a souvenir cart caught his eye. “Grandma, Can I have
that?”
“Sure, Honey. But it costs about what lunch will
tomorrow, so which do you want more?” His brother answered for him, “Forget
about it. We’re having lunch!”
Using fun times to teach real world financial lessons
is pretty simple. Just be straight with kids. Money is a finite resource. If
you spend it in one place, you don’t have it to spend elsewhere. This works when planning for college too.
You are reading from the blog: http://www.roadtofreecollege.com
Photo Credit: Google Images
Friday, December 23, 2016
Monday, December 19, 2016
Friday, December 16, 2016
Monday, December 12, 2016
Friday, December 9, 2016
Monday, December 5, 2016
New Year’s Resolutions for Language Classes
Help students start the
New Year off right. Students will soon be selecting their classes for the fall
semester. This lesson will encourage them to do what is best; continue their
French or German study. Although some people do not keep resolutions, many do.
I always started off with an example from real
life. Decades ago my dentist told me I was dehydrated and needed to drink more
water. But, I don’t like the taste of water. That year I resolved to drink a
full glass of water after brushing my teeth each morning. I still do. I even
drink one after brushing my teeth at night.
Talk to students about how
they too can improve their lives in some little way. It can be health related
(sleeping ten hours each night), relationship related (be nicer to their little
sister), school related (homework before electronics), whatever.
The goal of
this lesson is to get students thinking about doing what is good for them in
baby steps. You will also sneak in a little practice in vocabulary and use of
the future tense.
Supplies Needed: One large
white poster. If this is not available to you on campus for free, go to Smart
and Final or some other restaurant supply store and buy yourself a roll of
white butcher paper. It is much less expensive, and has many uses. Two fine
felt tipped pens of two different colors. I used black and blue, but any two
dark contrasting colors will do.Two wide, felt tipped pens
of two different colors. Pick colors that are bright, cheerful and easy to read
from a distance.
1. Using the wide pens put
the title BONNES RÉSOLUTIONS DE NOUVEL AN or NEUJAHRVORSÄTZE on the top of the
poster. Beneath that write the fragment: “ Je vais…” or “Ich werde…”
2. Create two columns on
the poster, numbering one through the total number of students you have
enrolled in all your classes combined.
3. As a homework assignment,
have students write down one little thing they could do which would make their
lives just a little bit better (In the language they are studying, of course). Give them an example or two from your life.
4. The next day, have them
check each other’s grammar and spelling. You can check it yourself during class
time, or during your prep.
5. Have students make
corrections. Once complete, while the class is busy with another task, have
each student put his/her resolution on the poster using a thin felt marker,
alternating colors to improve legibility. Have them place their initials next to
their resolutions.
6. Give them points for
this assignment. Encourage them to write their resolutions in their school
planners and read them over at the beginning of each day. Explain to them the
power of “intent”.
You are reading from the blog: http://www.roadtofreecollege.com
Photo Credit: Pixabay
Friday, December 2, 2016
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