This course is offered on Outschool as an "ongoing" or recurring class. Ongoing classes meet weekly and are charged weekly as a subscription on Sunday mornings. Ongoing classes provide a way for learners to study a certain topic with the same teacher without a set end date. Learners may stop or even "pause" their subscription at any time. 

Students older than the stated range may enroll. Please contact me directly to discuss the accommodations needed. 

In this recurring class, we will explore personal finance concepts through carefully curated storytelling. The academic level of stories and activities approximates the American first through third-grade curriculum. This class incorporates Universal Design elements such as multiple ways to present information (visual, aural, written) and multiple ways to show understanding. 

CLASS FORMAT

Learners may read along with their book, or view the book before class as desired (links will be provided weekly). A simple summary sheet will be offered as well as specific activities related to the story. Students may print the summary sheet and activities or use a personal journal to create their book of knowledge. 

In class, we will review the weekly content and answer questions about the story. We will use an interactive class discussion to dig deeper into the content. We will look at how it relates to our own experiences.

While the ongoing class will follow the same format each week, the topics will change weekly as indicated below. These books represent diverse characters, cultures, and situations as recommended by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and the Minnesota Council on Economic Education. Many have received the Excellence in Financial Literacy Education Award. 

Basic topics include:

• What can you do with money? save it, spend it
• What do you spend it on? wants or needs, goods or services
• How do you save money?
• How do you make money?
• How do you make decisions about your money?

Approximately 40-50 stories will be in rotation and repeat annually. 

During the class, students will not be muted unless there is significant background noise. Students may use their most effective communication method, including a verbal response, chat, communication board, or use of an interpreter. I do not know ASL. Every student will have opportunities to answer or ask questions. Parents may be present for the class but should remain off-screen. If a learner needs to take a break, they may turn off their video or sound.

As mentioned in my profile, I am a former Special Education teacher with a Masters in Teaching and a Masters in Social Work. My family includes autistics, other neurodivergencies, as well as physical disabilities and chronic issues. I also have ADHD. I have extensive experience in offering flexible teaching strategies to best fit the needs of the student while presenting the core content. If something is not working for a student, I will try another way. I see all behavior as communication and seek to understand rather than control the experience. 

Activities may be modified as needed for students needing additional wait time, using alternate communication devices, those who have difficulty accessing printed material or difficulty in writing. 

For those with reading challenges: material may be read out loud or be presented visually in charts, graphs or pictures. Graphic organizers will be offered to help remember strategies. 

For those with writing challenges: recommended math notebook includes graph paper which is best for lining up numbers. Answers may also be presented verbally or in pictures. Answers may be dictated and then copied into own notebook to "show" progress.

For those that need extra processing time: material is scaffolded for a variety of learners. Calculators can be used when the focus is on building strategies. Teaching style follows the "I do, we do, you do" method. Students are guided in the "we do" stage and do not need to demonstrate mastery in order to progress. I seek for students to show progress, not perfection. 

If you have any questions about how your learner might best access the content, please let me know. We are in a partnership for your learner's educational journey.