|
Students learn about economics of success
Published May 7, 2009
CLUTE — After one day with Junior Achievement volunteers, seventh-graders at Clute Intermediate could discuss the cost saving benefits of insurance, how to balance a checkbook and the benefit of an education beyond high school.
Using board games and skits and the help of savvy adults, the students learned valuable life skills.
“We’re always looking for opportunities for kids to get life lessons,” said Jay Whitehead, Clute Intermediate principal.
Volunteers from Junior Achievement of Brazoria County worked with seventh-graders at Clute Intermediate on Tuesday, teaching them about personal finances. The program offers all area schools classes about personal finances and economics.
“A better education means you will have a better life,” seventh-grader Katie Michaelidis said.
Seventh-grader Francisco Gonzalez said he learned it’s important not to go overboard on credit cards because good credit can do things like help people buy a house.
Though this lesson might seem simple to some adults, it was a concept Gonzalez had never heard before, he said.
Students also learned about debt and how to avoid it, seventh-grader Victoria Aguilar said.
Junior Achievement of Brazoria County is a nonprofit organization that services all Brazoria County schools with free economic programs, said Stephanie Ward, Junior Achievement volunteer.
The group relies on volunteers to teach students using a kit that is put together by the program, she said.
The program uses games and activities to teach budgeting, career investment and making good choices. There is very little lecture time, said Kim Effenberger, president of Junior Achievement of Brazoria County.
Tuesday’s program has students thinking about what colleges they want to attend and what they need to do to make sure they can go to college, Aguilar said.
Gonzalez said he now knows it’s important to get good grades and do community service to get into college.
“We get to decide what we want to do,” Aguilar said.
The program brings the business world to the classrooms by using successful business people as the volunteers who teach the class, Effenberger said. The students also learn about job skills.
“It’s important to choose a job that you enjoy because that’s what you’ll be doing for most of your life,” Gonzalez said.
Different versions of the class are available for students from kindergarten to 12th grade, and the class can be done in one day or spread out an hour a week for six weeks, Effenberger said.
The program reaches 6,000 to 10,000 students a year using 400 to 500 volunteers, she said.
“Junior Achievement really tries to bring into classrooms life skills and the value of an education,” said Kevin Land, Junior Achievement board member and volunteer.
Katlynn Lanham covers Brazosport ISD for The Facts. Contact her at (979) 237-0150.
Share |
Save |
Mail |
Print
|
|
|
 |
|
FREE BAY BOAT WITH WATERFRONT PURCHASE Get
...
Click for all
Top Ads listing
|
