Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it.

I thought for a long time that finance and business needs to be taught in schools.

I also thought that it would be fun to teach it. Well, now I'm teaching it.

I have, starting in January, six weeks of finance for kids age 12 to 15 and then after that, 6 weeks building construction for kids age 8 through 11 and then another class 12 through 15. They are one hour classes.

For the finance class, I am thinking of buying the cash flow 101 game for them. That really taught me a lot when I first started out. They will learn how to track a checkbook. They will learn how to identify the difference between assets, liabilities, income, expenses. They will also learn the different asset classes like stocks, real estate and businesses.

For the finance class, I am thinking of buying the cash flow 101 game for them. That really taught me a lot when I first started out. They will learn how to track a checkbook. They will learn how to identify the difference between assets, liabilities, income, expenses. They will also learn the different asset classes like stocks, real estate and businesses.

For the younger class with building construction, I am thinking about just teaching them how to operate a drill to run screws in the boards and drill holes, etc. Basic stuff like that.

For the older class, I am thinking about teaching them how to do basic things like run a zip-it down the sink trap and tighten up a faucet. Caulk trim. Install weatherstripping. Any kind of basic things like that. I may also give them different homework assignments. Maybe draw from a hat, next week explain to us the proper construction of a wall. Explain to the class how shingles work and the proper materials used to cover roof sheeting. All sorts of things like that.

My question for you all is, what else can I add into this? I've never taught before. I have one hour with them, once a week to hopefully drive home some of things that I personally think are very important in life.

That is awesome that you are giving those kids that opportunity. I wish that I would have had that when I was in school. That is teaching them real life things that they should know and can use for life.

I wonder if it would be too advanced to teach them a little about city codes and zoning. Just the basics of what they are.

Earning, saving, investing and sharing money

= maturity, responsibility and being self- sufficient.

Would make for a great discussion.

Tool safety is another.

Good for you and your students !

Also simple things that you just KNOW but others don't: the Right Hand Rule for screwing and unscrewing things. Watched DH using this the other day to figure something out.

NE, For the construction part, maybe get info from some of the union halls training courses. They take stuff from the start to journeyman levels.

My opinion here, a;though kids are young, if you challange them and show them how they quickly pick up most anything.

Maybe supply a starter set of tools for them. Have them build their first tool box, etc. then start on the basics of different trades.

For the financial, I agree with the cash flow 101. Also, a good basic education on money is invaluable. So many schools teach kids NOTHING about finances, making money, etc. They just prep them for a lifetime of paychecks if they work hard or welfare.

In my life, I'd say less than 1 in 100 even have a clue. Maybe 1 in 1000 or less have any ability to actually run a business well or be independent. All they are trained for in regular school is a lifetime of working for someone else.

NE This must be a private or home school - public schools, at least in our area, would never teach life or work skills.

You may consider material identification - 2x4, 2x6, plywood, OSB board, sheet rock and fasteners for those building materials. And the tools to measure, cut and fasten those building mat'l

Also some simple house plans.

Special for the girls - change a tire.

Great ideas. Kids need classes like this.

Ideas—Let them make birdhouses and sell them, same with doghouses.

Open checking and saving accounts. Fix a leaky faucet or a leaking hose. How to replace screening on a screen door. How to pound a nail straight!

Good for you, NE. It's great that you are doing something to give back in your community and help young people to learn some valuable skills and lessons that should give them a leg up on life if they are smart enough to absorb it.

My suggestion would be to teach them as many lessons as you can from one or more great financial books. My recommendation to glean lessons from are from what I believe are among the best:

1. The Richest Man in Babylon

2. The Millionaire Next Door

fill out a tax return.

NE get your head examined will you!!!!!!!

These kids have 1 hour with you and 7 days with their parents.

You've had better luck here explaining C19 then you will with these one hour students.

There are many adults who could use those classes. This includes persons I have turned down who had wanted to rent from me.

I will be interested in hearing the results.

Are you a teacher

Where is this taking place

I am not a teacher, but neither were the people that taught me building construction and finance.

This is taking place in an undisclosed location with undisclosed people in a speakeasy type setting.

Kids enroll via secret handshakes.

I think a lot of the above suggestions are too advanced and prolonged for your time frame. Start with the very basics.

Finance - A LOT of kids today don't understand "money". It's all done on a card. Parents somehow electronically fill these debit cards with money or put it on their phone. Not sure how I'd do it but seeing and using actual "money" would be where I'd start.

As for the construction end, I'd concentrate on one or two things, rather than a broad overview. If you do the broad overview and talk about tools, electricity, plumbing, flooring, blue prints, etc., it's too much and none of it will stick because they won't be using it on a routine basis.

Also, I'm sure you know this, hands on is probably a better way than "standing up front and "lecturing".

Speaking as a former teacher and the wife of a teacher of 35+ years:

- Don't talk fast - and most people DO talk too fast when they start out.

- If you ask a question, give them time to think before they answer. A newbie teacher error is to wait only a second or two before jumping in to supply an answer. Tell them that the only stupid question or answer is the one that they don't ask or try to answer.

- Hands-on is great - that mind/hand connection really makes some lessons stick.

- It takes some experience to know how much to cram into one teaching session. Have a demonstration or two on hand or cued up on your computer. There are times when the kids blast through a lesson, show that they know and understand, and then you find yourself with time and nothing to do. (And yup, there will be times when you will have to slow way down and say "Part two next time!".

- They WILL complain that "NO ONE" uses a checkbook any more. Tell them that understanding how to gives them experience in making entries, detecting errors, and getting a picture of their personal finances. (Both of my kids are Millenials who do their banking online. I first trained them with a physical check register, which helped them to spot problems once they went all online - which happened to both of them. Fortunately, their errors didn't cause major issues, and they learned from them.)

NE

This brings back lots of memories.

I used to teach “shop” class in school.

One of my brainstorms was to have 4th graders NOT to “build” a bird but just to put one (assemble one) that I had already cut out.

However this was not just for the 4th graders. A requirement was to have an adult show up at school to help the 4th grader. Parent, Grandparent, Aunt, Uncle, Neighbor, drunk from under the bridge.

After about the third year of doing this I had to restrict the number of adults that could came to the school to “help” the child with the birdhouse.

Great public relations and the kids talked about the event for weeks after it was over. Some younger kids ever said they can’t wait to get into the 4th grade so they could build their own birdhouse.

Missouri Conservation department supplied the plans – drawings. Local lumber yards supplied the materials.

Talk about woodpeckers. Be sure to have some ear plugs for yourself. Can you imagine the rat-tat-tat of 50 hammers tapping a nail.

I think this is a great idea and a much-needed thing to teach kids -- and applaud you for tackling this!

But, I have to admit, I can't help but be curious if you're going to wear a mask for this?

- John...

WHEN the student is ready to learn..... the right teacher always appears

I teach youth 8-11 on a regular basis. It's an awesome age--they're full of energy and enthusiasm. They can also be a handful. I have the most success when it's hands-on and relevant.

For example, we learned how to use hammers by making tin-can lanterns. We started, though, by me announcing that we were going on a candlelight hike. We all lit our candles, walked outside--and they all blew out. After a couple of tries, I gathered them inside and we talked about how candles needed air without getting blown out and how pioneers crafted lanterns. THEN we made the lanterns.

I always end with what some groups call a "Scoutmaster's Minute." Some principle embodied by what they did. So after we did fire building, I gathered them around and asked what they'd learned. (I am extremely successful in getting participation because they get a treat for coming up with an answer!) I asked them what other areas of their lives required the same kind of preparation that building a fire does. They came up with some awesome answers.

Teach them to balance to a checkbook, but also how to keep track of the new ways of paying. Venmo, chase quick pay, PayPal, cash app, etc. How to use them and not get in trouble.

If you could incorporate a little Dave Ramsey too, be good. Show his way, then donald T (lots of debt, bankruptcy).

NE:

THANK YOU!!!

TEST I did today

I asked the Grandkids to tell me the lyrics to a favorite song

easily done

Then I asked a math question - stunned look on the faces

Then I explained that if they wanted to learn they could easily do it - they proved it with the lyrics.....

Memorization is very different "learning" than solving math problems. I mean, sure, if you're talking about memorizing a "times table", then maybe. But in general asking someone to recite something they memorized is very different from asking a "math question."

I knew many people in high school and college that were "all As" students because they were amazing at memorization. But as soon as you asked them anything related to actually solving a problem, they were lost...

Maybe teach them how to fix a leaking toilet, or at least explain how it works.

Don’t forget to write off a material cost for your class.

I think that you can at least donate some of the trim to make a picture frame, broken tiles to practice the cutting. Later they can paint the tile or make a mosaic.

Just imagining those custom inserts in the floor, bathroom or stepping stone.

They can take it home or sell and use money or donate.

I wish I can participate in this class!

I am short and can act as a teenager, no one will ever tell the difference, I promise ;)