A Financial Literacy Themed Summer Reading Program and Yearlong Tie-In

Activity for Rising Fifth Graders

Jobs and Money

Why Money?

StandardsThe Maryland State Curriculum for

Personal Financial Literacy Education (Grades 3-5)STANDARD 1: MAKE INFORMED, FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE DECISIONSStudents will apply financial literacy reasoning in order to make informed, financially responsible decisions. 1.5.A Explain that people make financial choices based on available resources, needs, and wants.

1.5.A.1 Explain the consequences of making financial decisions. 1.5.A.2 Identify opportunity cost of financial decisions made by individuals. 1.5.A.3 Apply the steps in the decision-making process to a financial situation. 1.5.A.4 Describe the concept of financial obligations, such as borrowing and “IOUs”.

1.5.B Explain attitudes, assumptions and patterns of behavior regarding money, saving, investing, and work and how they affect personal consumer decisions.

1.5.B.1 Identify factors that affect personal financial decisions and actions. 1.5.B.2 Explain philanthropy, volunteer service and charities.

1.5.C Apply financial knowledge, attitudes, and skills. 1.5.C.1 Develop and apply financial literacy vocabulary. 1.5.C.2 Describe different ways in which consumers plan their purchasing decisions. 1.5.C.3 Identify personal financial goals. 1.5.C.4 Identify examples of responsible financial decision.

1.5.D Describe different types of retail markets. 1.5.D.1 Describe market situations where buyers and sellers meet to exchange goods and services. 1.5.D.2 Identify markets that are not face-to-face meetings such as Internet shopping and catalog shopping.

StandardsThe Maryland State Curriculum for

Personal Financial Literacy Education (Grades 3-5)STANDARD 2: RELATE CAREERS, EDUCATION AND INCOMEStudents will relate choices regarding their education and career paths to earning potential. 2.5.A Compare the relationships among education, skills, career choices, economic conditions, and income.

2.5.A.1 Describe how education choices, interests, skills, and career choices affect income. 2.5.A.2 Differentiate between a job and a career. 2.5.A.3 Describe the benefits and trade-offs of a variety of careers including personal satisfaction. 2.5.A.4 Describe how personal characteristics and interests affect career decisions.

2.5.B Describe sources of income. 2.5.B.1 Identify potential sources of income. 2.5.B.2 Describe factors affecting income.

2.5.C Explain the relationship among income, spending decisions, and lifestyle.

2.5.C.1 Describe how income affects spending.

StandardsThe Maryland State Curriculum for

Personal Financial Literacy Education (Grades 3-5)STANDARD 3: PLAN AND MANAGE MONEYStudents will develop skills to plan and manage money effectively by identifying financial goals and developing spending plans.3.5.A Demonstrate the ability to use money management skills and strategies by saving for and acquiring goods and services.

3.5.A.1 Define and list the components of a spending plan. 3.5.A.2 Identify strategies for using a spending plan. 3.5.A.3 Develop a spending plan indicating income and expenses.

3.5.B Identify products used at financial institutions. 3.5.B.1 Describe the services financial institutions provide, such as savings, checking, and money market accounts.

3.5.C Describe financial goals based on personal values.

3.5.C.1 Develop age-appropriate financial goals. 3.5.C.2 Identify ways to earn and save for a future event.

3.5.D Understand the purposes and responsibilities related to taxation.

3.5.D.1 Explain the meaning and purposes of taxes. 3.5.D.2 Describe how taxation affects individuals, families, and communities. 3.5.D.3 Explain the reasons for paying taxes.

3.5.E Describe that contracts are binding agreements. 3.5.E.1 Describe why people enter into contracts. 3.5.E.2 Differentiate between written and verbal contracts.

StandardsThe Maryland State Curriculum for

Personal Financial Literacy Education (Grades 3-5)STANDARD 4: MANAGE CREDIT AND DEBTStudents will develop skills to make informed decisions about incurring debt and maintaining creditworthiness.4.5.A Identify why people enter into debt.

4.5.A.1 List reasons why people borrow. 4.5.B Differentiate credit products from services.

4.5.B.1 Describe the concept of a loan. 4.5.B.2 Describe the difference between credit products and services.

4.5.C Identify sources of credit. 4.5.C.1 Differentiate between credit and debt. 4.5.C.2 List sources of credit, such as banks, credit unions, credit card companies, and retail stores.

4.5.D Use Numeracy Skills to explain the cost of borrowing.

4.5.D.1 Define interest and explain how it is used. 4.5.E Identify interest rates, fees, and other charges.

4.5.E.1 Describe the different types of payment methods, such as bartering, cash, check, credit card, and debit card. 4.5.E.2 Identify uses of a credit card and a debit card.

4.5.F Describe creditworthiness. 4.5.F.1 Explain how character, capacity, and capital relate to borrowing.

StandardsThe Maryland State Curriculum for

Personal Financial Literacy Education (Grades 3-5)STANDARD 5: CREATE AND BUILD WEALTHStudents will develop skills to plan and achieve long-term goals related to saving and investing in order to build financial security and wealth. 5.5.A Compare appropriate financial services and products to specified goals.

5.5.A.1 Determine saving goals. 5.5.A.2 Describe saving options.

5.5.B Explain strategies for achieving financial goals. 5.5.B.1 Differentiate between banked versus unbanked consumers. 5.5.B.2 Describe ways that financial institutions protect consumers’ money. 5.5.B.3 Describe the concept of “time value” of money. 5.5.B.4 Differentiate between “working for money” versus “money working for you”.

5.5.C Explain the relationships between saving and investing.

5.5.C.1 Describe steps involved in saving. 5.5.C.2 Describe steps involved in investing. 5.5.C.3 Compare saving and investing.

5.5.D Apply the concepts of supply and demand to acquiring goods and services.

5.5.D.1 Describe the concepts of supply and demand. 5.5.D.2 Describe how supply and demand affect price.

Common Read

The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies

A brother and a sister compete to see who can make the most money selling lemonade in a winner-take-all bet. Woven into this entertaining story are useful lessons on business concepts and real-world math.

Common Read

Tie-In Project• Under teachers’ guidance,

each fifth grade class will create a year-long business venture. (Examples: Sell cookies, operate a school store, publish comics)

• Classes compete to see which class can earn the most profit by the end of the year.

• Each student evaluates his or her interests and skills and picks his or her role in the company (Examples: Market researcher, ad writer, artist, webmaster, accountant)

• Financial literacy lessons set the stage for each step• Options for profits: Donate, improve school, have a party

Photo Credit: Fairfield County Catholic

The Students• Entering 5th grade (age 10)• Lexile range: 700-1000 (target 800)• “Children do like to identify with characters who are

a couple of years older than they are, so a book aimed at nine-to-eleven-year-olds works well with a thirteen-year-old protagonist.” -Kathleen Horning, From Cover to Cover

• Most common career goals: medical doctor, lawyer, architect, veterinarian (31% of 8-11 year olds chose one of these four in 1995 study by Phipps)

• Popular checkouts: world records, scary stories, graphic novels, series fiction

Reading List• Developed using NoveList K-8 Plus database

– Age 8-12, Lexile 700-1000, subject/keyword searches (jobs, occupations, money-making schemes, money)

– Sorted by publication year, popularity and Goodreads ranking, read reviews, checked availability at library and retailers

• 11 fiction, 9 nonfiction• Average Lexile 845, with some harder/easier

600 ++700 ++++800 ++++++900 +++1000 +++

• Roughly equal distribution of boy vs. girl protagonists/focus

Fiction

Hint: In this book, class bullies start a mean-spirited club, the WHJ club, and tell the teacher it stands for Wild Hot Jellybeans.

Hint: In this book, class bullies start a mean-spirited club, the WHJ club, and tell the teacher it stands for Wild Hot Jellybeans.

The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies

A brother and a sister compete to see who can make the most money selling lemonade in a winner-take-all bet. Woven into this entertaining story are useful lessons on business concepts and real-world math.

Hint: A crab gets caught in a man’s beard in this book.

Hint: A crab gets caught in a man’s beard in this book.

Jack Plank Tells Talesby Natalie Babbit

In this book full of funny adventure stories, an ex-pirate sets out to find a new career, but each time his friends suggest an idea, he rules it out and explains why with a tale from his pirate days.

Hint: In this book, a math teacher named Mr. Z helps students with their business idea.

Hint: In this book, a math teacher named Mr. Z helps students with their business idea.

Lunch Moneyby Andrew Clements

Greg has always had a knack for making money, and he thinks selling comics to his classmates could be his best business idea yet. But the principal isn’t happy about the idea. A funny page-turner by a bestselling author.

Hint: If a candle placed in a floating basket stays lit until it floats out of sight, wishes will come true, according to this book.

Hint: If a candle placed in a floating basket stays lit until it floats out of sight, wishes will come true, according to this book.

Silk Umbrellasby Carolyn Marsden

In this beautifully written novel set in modern Thailand, an 11-year-old girl dreams of a life painting silk umbrellas, but fears she will have to work at a factory instead.

Hint: “Put New Bounce into Your Yo-Yo!” say the yo-yo repair business cards that a student hands out to her classmates in this book.

Hint: “Put New Bounce into Your Yo-Yo!” say the yo-yo repair business cards that a student hands out to her classmates in this book.

Amelia Works it Outby Marissa Moss

Cartoons and doodles decorate this handwritten-journal-style book about a girl who puts her creativity and drawing skills to work as she starts a series of businesses to earn money to buy something she wants.

Hint: Shares in a coffin manufacturing company turn out to be a great stock market investment in this book.

Hint: Shares in a coffin manufacturing company turn out to be a great stock market investment in this book.

Lawn Boyby Gary Paulsen

When a 12-year-old with a lawn mowing business teams up with his neighbor to invest in the stock market, his earnings grow much faster than he imagined. But things soon get out of hand in this funny, fast-paced adventure.

Hint: A bathroom-hogging sister is the inspiration for a beauty shop business in this book.

Hint: A bathroom-hogging sister is the inspiration for a beauty shop business in this book.

Flat Brokeby Gary Paulsen

In this fast-paced, lighthearted story, 14-year-old Kevin tries a series of schemes to make money off of his family, friends and neighbors, but his plans don’t always turn out the way he hopes.

Hint: The characters in this book make it into the local newspaper when their tractor stalls while pulling a bathtub.

Hint: The characters in this book make it into the local newspaper when their tractor stalls while pulling a bathtub.

Henry Reed, Inc.by Keith Robertson

First published in 1958, this book offers a charming glimpse into childhood of the past, but readers today will still be amused by the odd misadventures of Henry and Midge as they start their own research company during summer vacation.

Hint: Refusing to go back and get a wrap that she left on stage gets a character in trouble in this book.

Hint: Refusing to go back and get a wrap that she left on stage gets a character in trouble in this book.

Ballet Shoesby Noel Streatfeild

When their adopted great uncle disappears and money begins to run low, three British orphan girls pursue careers on the stage to help their adopted family. First published in 1937, this story stands the test of time.

Hint: In this book, playing a flute turns out to be a good way to get a dog to “do what it is supposed to do.”

Hint: In this book, playing a flute turns out to be a good way to get a dog to “do what it is supposed to do.”

Lulu Walks the Dogsby Judith Viorst

Lulu can’t stand her goody goody neighbor, Fleischman, but when she starts a dog-walking business, she may need his help. This short, silly story is told in a conversational style and includes whimsical charcoal-drawing-style illustrations.

Hint: At a job interview, an applicant says he is the right one for the job because he is “not one of those bell-wearing types” in this book.

Hint: At a job interview, an applicant says he is the right one for the job because he is “not one of those bell-wearing types” in this book.

Big Bad Sheepby Bettina Wegenast

The Big Bad Wolf is dead, and a sheep named Karl decides to apply for a job to be his replacement. The silly story and cartoon drawings make this short, playful book a fun and easy read.

Nonfiction

Hint: According to this book, all you need are number stencils, paint and a paintbrush to start a business as a Curb Address Painter.

Hint: According to this book, all you need are number stencils, paint and a paintbrush to start a business as a Curb Address Painter.

Better than a Lemonade Stand Small Business Ideas for Kids by Daryl Bernstein

Featuring 55 creative business ideas for kids, this book gives easy-to-follow advice for starting a business, plus stories of real kid entrepreneurs and a quiz to help decide what type of business is best for you.

Hint: There are many more sharks eaten by people than there are people eaten by sharks, according to this book.

Hint: There are many more sharks eaten by people than there are people eaten by sharks, according to this book.

Talking With AdventurersConversations With Christina Allen, Robert Ballard, Michael Blakey, Ann Bowles, David Doubilet, Jane Goodall, Dereck & Beverly Joubert

by Pat CummingsFilled with short articles, questions and answers, and photos, this book introduces twelve scientists in varying fields from oceanography to anthropology and explains what their jobs are like.

Hint: A spray bottle filled with water and a carrot in a bag are two creative tools for ending fears of monsters, according to this book.

Hint: A spray bottle filled with water and a carrot in a bag are two creative tools for ending fears of monsters, according to this book.

The Babysitter’s Handbook The Care and Keeping of Kids by Harriet Brown

This guide is full of useful tips for games, activities, and tricky situations such as comforting a crying child and taking a firm stand when a child challenges the rules. Illustrations, checklists and tips from real babysitters add to the book’s appeal.

Hint: A sample market survey for a dog walking business in this book includes the question, “Are you often too bone-tired to play with your dog?”

Hint: A sample market survey for a dog walking business in this book includes the question, “Are you often too bone-tired to play with your dog?”

Neale S. Godfrey’s Ultimate Kids’ Money Bookby Neale S. Godfrey

This informative book covers a wide range of money topics from the history of money to how an ATM card works. Cartoon illustrations and short blocks of text with colorful subheadings help make these complex topics kid-friendly.

Hint: A quiz in this book will tell you if you are a “people person,” “hands on and handy,” “mover and shaker,” “think tank” or “expressive” to help find the right job for you.

Hint: A quiz in this book will tell you if you are a “people person,” “hands on and handy,” “mover and shaker,” “think tank” or “expressive” to help find the right job for you.

A $mart Girl’s Guide to Money How to Make it, Save it and Spend Itby Nancy Holyoke

Don’t be fooled by the title: This handy book full of quizzes, tips and stories about money has useful advice that will inspire both boys and girls. Topics include business tips, how to “shop smart,” budgeting basics and more.

Hint: Strong verbs are good for poetry but “adjectives are high in fat” according to this book.

The Underwear SalesmanAnd Other Jobs for Better or Verseby J. Patrick Lewis

This book of silly poems examines fifty occupations, from librarian to sword swallower. Colorful collage-style illustrations accompany haikus, limericks and other forms of poetry with a whimsical flair reminiscent of Shel Silverstein.

Hint: This book describes a project in which a musician helped kids use junk to create a “Junk Music play station” at their school.

Hint: This book describes a project in which a musician helped kids use junk to create a “Junk Music play station” at their school.

When I Grow Up A Young Person’s Guide to Interesting and Unusual Occupationsby Jessica Loy

This well-designed, photo-filled book introduces 14 people with interesting and unique jobs such as a pet photographer and a game designer and tells what they do and how they got started with their careers.

Hint: The word “curfew” comes from the French for “Cover the Fire” according to this book.

Hint: The word “curfew” comes from the French for “Cover the Fire” according to this book.

Fire!by Joy Masoff

Told in a magazine-style with full-page photos, this exciting book describes the work of firefighting, including its history, equipment, and what it’s like to be a firefighter.

Hint: In the 1970s, there were few women in veterinary school, but today, women make up about 60 percent of vet students, according to this book.

I Want to Be... A Veterinarianby Stephanie Maze

This book is a great place to start if you are interested in a career working with animals. It is filled with photos and describes the many types of veterinarians, what their job is like, and how to get started in the field.