garten and first grade. I wanted students to count coins, use addition and subtraction to solve a problem and to discuss the consequences of unplanned spending. The following is an example of economic goals that could be met with this lesson. Understanding of the Concept of Wants and Needs by:


• Identifying basic human needs • Explaining how basic human needs can be met • Describing the needs of a family • Explaining that individuals and families cannot have everything they want • Identifying examples of wanting more than we have • Explaining why wanting more than we have requires people to make choices • Explaining some of the consequences of unplanned spending


I chose the book Alexander, Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday, by Judith Viorst, to


initiate an economic discussion with these young students. (See a review of this book on page 18.) Before arriving at the classroom I assembled the following materials for each student:


1 resealable plastic bag of coins 1 sheet of 1-inch graph paper 1 reproducible “Letter to Alexander”


I counted 7 dimes, 4 nickels, and 10 pennies into each bag and included a note listing


We talked about the things that


Alexander did with his money and the quality of things he


had at the end of the story.


those coins. I started by asking students if anyone had ever received a dollar from an aunt or uncle or grandparent or special friend. Hands shot up all around the room. I asked how much they received. When one student said $5.00 I asked if other students ever received $5.00 to raise their hands. I asked if anyone received a different amount. Answers included $10.00 and $20.00. One child said a million, but I was pretty sure that one was an exaggeration. I rephrased my question so students would talk about receiving $1.00 and asked what you could buy with one dollar. Second-grade students are savvy enough to know that a dollar doesn’t buy much.


Integrating Math and Literature


I explained that the book Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday was written about a real boy who is now a grown-up. I told them that when he was a child, you could buy a little more with a dollar than you can now. I read the book to students, showing them the pictures as I read. Afterwards we talked about the things that Alexander did with his


Students write to Judith Viorst’s character, Alexander, with advice about money and savings.


PAGE 2 •


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