Reading Makes Cents Resource Review

Lacie Ashby,Kathy Gordon,Shante Stokes

doi:10.5195/jyd.2011.170

Abstract

In today’s economy, it is more crucial than ever to focus our educational efforts on increasing financial literacy. Many young people are unskilled in managing their personal finances, yet this critical life skill will greatly affect their future economic well-being. Reading Makes Cents, developed by Penn State University, is an excellent resource to address this need. A reviewed and recommended curriculum by National 4-H, this complete, easy to use curriculum targets youth in grades 3-5 with a combination of financial literacy and reading. The curriculum explores basic money concepts such as spending, saving, and sharing money. Lessons incorporate hands-on activities and children’s literature to reinforce lesson objectives. With evaluation questions and family activities included, Reading Makes Cents is a perfect guide for educators to easily pick up and teach.

Highlights

Created by Penn State University (2008), Reading Makes Cents presents 53 lessons among seven sections in a complete curriculum to teach financial literacy and reading
Educators benefit from evaluation success indicators, parent communication sheets, and family time activity surveys
A day camp supervisor commented, “It takes a really good program to make kids want to come do this and skip gym and the pool.”. This speaks to the fact that youth are choosing to participate in Reading Makes Cents, over other recreational alternatives

Summary

Introduction

Created by Penn State University (2008), Reading Makes Cents presents 53 lessons among seven sections in a complete curriculum to teach financial literacy and reading. Targeting youth in grades 3-5, this National 4-H reviewed and recommended curriculum utilizes children’s literature to teach and support basic money concepts. Curriculum As a complete package, the curriculum includes easy to understand sections and lessons, each with a fun activity.

Results

Conclusion