So often we hear about teaching the whole child. Today, more than ever, personal finance knowledge and awareness are a critical part of what it means to teach the whole child.
What's been made increasingly clear over the last few years is the ever-changing world of finance. Specifically, that the world of finance isn't going to become simpler, but rather more complex. Check out some surprising results about where and to whom kids turn when it comes to getting more information about finance in this
survey and infographic.
Enter the H&R Block Budget Challenge!
This challenge probably isn't like other challenges you may be familiar with... this challenge is awarding up to $3 million dollars in classroom grants and student scholarships. Not too bad for just another day at school!
Beside the monetary incentive for teachers and students, there's a lot of learning potential with this FREE, fun, real-world challenge. Students get to experience online simulations that require them to go through the decision making process with the types of financial scenarios we adults face on a daily basis.
Things like paying bills, managing expenses, considering tax implications, saving for retirement, and saving for a rainy day, are all situations students will experience in this simulation.
I recall the personal finance class I took while in high school, and I wish the H&R Block Challenge would have been around as I would have thoroughly enjoyed going through these realistic scenarios.
This challenge is open to all accredited public and private schools, as well as all home schooled students. Students must be 14 years of age or older and must be enrolled in grades 9-12 to be eligible. Did I mention this is FREE?!
For all you educators out there trying to figure out how this might fit in your curriculum or how this won't be a huge additional workload, check out some of these
budget challenge lesson plans and student activities. No need to recreate the wheel with this challenge! You should also check out the
educational games H&R Block has created to help teach and raise awareness of personal finance.
And, don't worry, you still have time to sign up! The next simulation challenge starts on 1/14/16
(Teachers must register their classes one week prior to the simulation start date, and for this round the deadline to create your class is January 7th) with two additional sessions starting after that on 1/28/16 and 2/11/16.
Click
here to learn more and sign up for this exciting opportunity for your students!
Perhaps something I love most about this challenge is the statement H&R Block makes right on their main webpage for this challenge...
We think personal finance education is so important, we're paying people to learn.
In closing, this opportunity comes at no cost to you and your students other than simply giving it a try. If you want your students to be prepared for the quickly changing world of personal finance, this is the perfect tool to have in your toolbelt. Not only is this tool free, it comes with an instructional manual on exactly how to best use it. Not to mention the many opportunities to earn some cash for your classroom and students!
What are you waiting for... get after it and get your personal finance savvy on.
“This is a sponsored post on behalf of We Are Teachers and H&R Block. I received compensation for this post, however all opinions stated are my own.”
