The write start - Jennifer Hallissy 2010

Show-Me-the-Money Ledger
Guidelines for the Activities

IN ANCIENT TIMES, before the first alphabet was devised, some basic writing systems existed to communicate about one subject in particular: money. You see, even before we had methods of writing our words, we had methods of writing our monetary transactions. First things first, I guess.

Money is serious business, essential to the daily operations of civilized societies. And believe it or not, kids really get this. They understand that the coins in their piggy banks serve a purpose and that it’s important to keep track of them. And while they might not be trading their money for a couple of camels and a barrel of grain any time soon, a new toy may be hanging in the balance. (The piggy-bank balance, that is.)

MATERIALS

∗ blank ledger book

∗ pencil

∗ piggy bank (optional)

∗ money

∗ calculator

HOW-TO

1. Encourage your children to note financial transactions and goals in their ledger, such as receiving money, spending it, saving for a toy, gifts, or allowance.

2. Show your child how to use the preprinted guidelines in the ledger to line up their writing both horizontally and vertically, making mathematical calculation both easier and more accurate.

Variations

For Scribblers: Pre-writers can begin to learn about money (and work on fine-motor coordination) by doing some simple sorting (making piles of pennies, nickels, quarters, and so on) and counting (e.g., How many pennies do you have?). (Note: for the over-three crowd only, please; coins can be a choking hazard.)

For Spellers: Emerging writers have the ability to count their money, write amounts in their ledger, and perform simple calculations using a calculator.

For Storytellers: Storytellers can include some more information in their ledger about financial goals (saving for a trip to the movies? looking to buy a new toy?).

For Scholars: Entrepreneurial Scholars can actually come up with some ideas to earn money via a small business. Their ledgers will be invaluable to ventures such as creating a lemonade stand, selling handmade goods, or hosting a bake sale.