EIGHT: Make it
Catchy
Think of a
commercial that you have found yourself repeating. "Two all beef patties
special sauce lettuce cheese pickles onions on a sesame seed bun,"
probably brings up an image of the classic McDonald's Big Mac in the hearts and
minds of most Americans.
Ask yourself how
you can turn the information you're teaching into catchy phrases, poems, and
songs. Make information rhyme or fit into a pattern and, just know, that the
funnier you make it, the easier it is to remember.
NINE: Make it FUN!
Laughter is not
only the best medicine...it's the best learning method. Think of a time when
something was really funny to you. Do you remember what was going on? Chances
are you do.
Put the concepts
and information you want to teach into a game or activity that makes your
students laugh and you'll never have to 'teach' it again. When you do this,
your learners end up learning as a result of the game or activity; it becomes a
natural result of the experience. You literally weave the lessons into the
activity and before you know it, they've got it.
Note: They don't
always understand what they have just learned, but at least you've got it in
their little computer brains where it will stay and be processed until it's
needed at a later date.
TEN: Celebrate!
Imagine being
acknowledged every time you raised your hand with an answer to a question your
teacher just asked. Think about what it would feel like to have an entire group
of people snap their fingers three times just because you stood up to ask a
question or make a comment. Visualize how inspired you'd feel if the teacher
said, "Great Job!" just because you participated in an activity.
Wouldn't you be
more inclined to stay involved in the learning environment? Wouldn't you WANT
to participate? Wouldn't you WANT to show up, ready to play, eager to learn?
This is only a
partial list of benefits from celebrating learning. If it's good for a football
team, it's good for your classroom.
End Result: Making
it Sticky
All of these
teaching ideas, combined with the power of accelerated learning, makes the
information STICKY. Students learn faster, remember more and have a whole lot
of fun learning information that would probably be boring and ineffective in
any other setting.
Leaving home and
school with financial wisdom is critical to every child's success as they forge
their own way in the adult world.
By using these
teaching tips to teach financial education, you not only improve the chances
more of our youth living happy, successful adult lives but you can know that
you've been a huge part in that success. And isn't that every teacher's dream?
BONUS TIP: Use financial literacy as a platform
to teach everything else.
Do you want to
really make learning relevant to your students? Great...think about this.
What if children
learned how to read by studying business plans, reading articles about life and
health, writing book reports on success journals of all types?
What if children
learned math by creating budgets, learning to shop smart, researching stocks
and creating financial statements?
What if children
learned to write by writing business plans and advertising copy, business
correspondence and hand-written personal letters?
What if children
learned art and music by creating graphics, websites, composing advertising
jingles and more for businesses they create?
THIS would make
education relevant, experiential, effective and fun! It would be education that
would stick with your child forever, giving them a lifetime of skills and information
to make, manage and multiply their money wisely. The result? An adult who is
financially responsible and who understands the power and value of doing good
in the world.
THIS is how we
change the world...one child at a time!
For more
information on YOU can learn how to teach your financial literacy programs in
the most amazingly affective way, check out http://www.creativewealthintl.org/trainthetrainer.php
Elisabeth Donati is
the owner of Creative Wealth Intl., LLC and creator of Camp Millionaire, a
unique financial intelligence program for youth. She is an expert in teaching
the basic financial principles everyone needs in a way that is engaging,
empowering and fun.
She has a passion
for empowering women in her Creative Wealth for Women program and is the author
of The Ultimate Allowance and the weekly ezine, Financial Wisdom with a TWI$T.
For information, visit http://www.creativewealthintl.org
