Money!

We took it light in school last week, because I spent some time making preparations for out-of-town guests, and Grant's big 8th birthday bash on Saturday. 

We talked about money last week.  We started off on Monday with a review of the times tables tunes, and then we practiced the penny whistle.  After the penny whistle lesson, I read the kids this book:

(We read books about birds, and did a bird related craft last week in addition to Grant's main lessons on money.)

After this, Grant and I began the main lesson.  First we talked about $1 and how it equals 100 cents.  Next, we took the whole and broke it down into parts by talking about what quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies were worth, and how many it took of each to equal $1. 

We counted out a dollar's worth of each and laid them out on the table.  I had Grant write out in his lesson book everything we talked about.  I also asked him how many quarters in $2, and $4.  How many dimes in $3 and $5, etc.  We also talked about some of the many different ways you could use the coins to equal $1.

(This is not exactly the prettiest lesson page ever, but they can't all be, right?)

On Tuesday, we started of with our morning verses, adding in this new one:

Little Robin Redbreast sat upon a tree

Up came pussy cat and down went he

Down came pussy and away robin ran

Says little robin redbreast,

"Catch me if you can!"

Little Robin Redbreast jumped upon a wall

Pussy cat jumped after him and almost had a fall

Little Robin chirped and sang, and what did pussy say?

Pussy cat said, "Mew," and robin flew away.

After that we reviewed math with rolling the math dice to give  Grant some equations to work out, and we also reviewed some of our times tables tunes.

We also talked a little about managing money.  In order to give him more experience with this, we are going to start giving him a weekly allowance.  This allowance will not be broken down into a certain amount per chore, but will be given with the expectation that Grant will do the chores that are asked of him.  If someone else has to do one of his chores, then money will be deducted from his allowance.  He also has the opportunity to go above and beyond to earn some extra money.

We talked abut managing his money by using this piggy bank:

He will get $3.00 per week.  $1.00 will go into "save" ,or Long Term Saving For Spending".  This is where he will save up for something big that he wants.  $1.00 will go into "spend". This will be the money he can spend on smaller things he wants.  $.50 will go into "donate" or giving.  This will be money he can use for giving at church, buying a gift for someone, etc.  Finally, $.50 will go into "invest" and we will put this into some sort of long term investment that is not to be touched for a LONG time. 

We wrote all this out in his lesson book, and also talked about some other scenarios.

I also read Grant and Johanna this book:

On Wednesday, we did our times table review and penny whistle lesson.  We reviewed what we had talked about on Monday and Tuesday, and worked out some more "money math" problems.  We added on to the lesson today by talking about budgeting and playing store. We made a list of various items he could find in the school room and how much each one cost.  I gave him $20.00 and he had to go shopping (making sure he got enough food to eat for the week). 

He managed to get some food, and a couple Lego Hero Factory figures, and still come out with some money left over.

I also helped Grant and Johanna model birds out of clay.  We didn't have a chance to paint them last week, so we will paint them next week.

The kids have also been coloring bird pictures.  I have picked out birds which we see around here.  We have a lot to choose from!  Last week they colored cardinals, blue jays, and goldfinch.  Here is some of their artwork:

Julia

Johanna

Grant

We used Thursday and Friday to get ready for our guests and Grant's Birthday party.

Next week we will start a fun 4-week-long Language Arts block talking about King Arthur and Camelot.  I think Grant will really have fun with that one!