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2012-2013 Reading is an Investment

Investing and Goal Setting

These books and materials provide an opportunity to introduce to children the concept of making an investment. The three featured books approach this topic from several different angles. In Frances Kennedy's The Pickle Patch Bathtub, younger children can consider how a savings goal can motivate someone to invest time, effort and money to achieve a goal. In Isabel's Car Wash by Sheila Bair, children will read about how Isabel funded her new business by convincing her friends to invest in her car wash. Older children will have the opportunity to learn the basics of what a stock is and how such an investment works through J.M. Seymour's Stock Market Pie. Activities and lesson plans included in the curriculum this year will highlight:

  • The Value of Setting a Goal
  • Directing Our Money to Things of Value
  • Who is an Investor
  • How People Invest in a Business
  • What is a Stock
  • How People Make a Profit

Librarian Activities

The school librarian acts as the main source of program information for each school. We have provided outreach resources to assist librarians in promoting the program. We've also provided school librarians with specific activities that take 30-40 minutes to complete--perfect for use during scheduled library times with students.

Examples of Librarian Promotional Activities 
Promotional Flyer for Teachers 
Letter to Parents
Newsletter Story
The Pickle Patch Bathtub Activity
Isabel's Car Wash Activity
Stock Market Pie Activity

Teacher Lesson Plans

Lesson plans are divided by the following grade levels: (1) Kindergarten; (2) 1st & 2nd grades; (3) 3rd & 4th grades; and (4) 5th & 6th grades. There is one lesson plan for each grade level, based on the book that is most targeted toward each individual age group. A complete curriculum guide was sent to the school librarian at each participating school. Each school must develop their own policy regarding the circulation of the three books to teachers for classroom instruction.

Glossary
Author Frances Kennedy, The Pickle Patch Bathtub
Kindergarten Lesson
1st-2nd Grade Lesson
Author Sheila Bair, Isabel's Car Wash
3rd-4th Grade Lesson
Author J.M. Seymour, Stock Market Pie
5th-6th Grade Lesson