Art and Economic Activities
"You Can Find Me In Club"- The Financial Book Club
The instructor should try to read a few financial literacy texts before presenting this information to their students. Once they've had a few under their belt, the teacher should pick two-three books and order the year prior to teaching the lesson so they’re readily available. If they've been able to partner with a university, philanthropic organization, or PTA, or if their building has the funds to do it, they should order copies of one or two books on financial literacy for students to study and keep. The students should close read chapters at home, understanding that they'll be tested, and the class will discuss the information when they return to school the following day.
The instructor will have the choice between the following text: "Your Money or your life," "Why Didn't They Teach Me This in School," and "The Simple Path to Wealth." Also, "Psychology and Money;" " Broke Millennial; "What You Should have Learned About Money But Never Did;" The Early Investor;" and "I Want More Pizza."
Understanding the Psychological and Social Dilemmas within "Raisin in the Sun"
As a class, students will close read the play "Raisin in the Sun." Before opening the book, the teacher will provide context regarding the characters. As the class begins to read the stage play, students should compare and contrast many of the reoccurring economic ideas within the stage play and society today. Students will take notes and put them in separate categories. They should have peer-to-peer conversations that module accountable talk. Although every teacher is free to create the overarching ideas within these thinktanks, examples could be (Economics, Opportunity, Dreams, and Psychology)
Once the class has finished the reading, they'll have the chance to answer open-ended document-based questions or a free write that provides insight on how economics is attached to psychology, opportunity, struggle, mental health, and witnesses show up in the play.
Warren Buffett & Jay - Z - Billionaire Investing Secrets (Interview with Forbes)
Students will watch and analyze conversations with two billionaires from very different backgrounds. Students should A) write down five lessons each individual learned growing up, B) Five decisions and the consequences of those decisions, C) Five economic strategies that each has used to build their portfolio and overall income, D) Two mistakes the individuals made growing up E) How they've used their platform and economic power to create opportunities for others. The teacher can then create a prompt of their choosing that encourages the students to use the evidence they’ve collected to answer a rigorous question summarizing the learning that has taken place.
The Implicit/Explicit Economic Implications of Kanye West First Three Albums:
Kanye West's earlier albums "College Dropout," "Late Registration," and "Graduation" have a theme of transition in each one and how that transition plays out through his lyrics. Students will analyze the following songs "All Falls Down;" "Graduation Day;" "School Spirit1 and 2;" "Through the Wire;" "Heard 'Em Say;" "Touch the Sky;" "Hey Mama" "Good Morning;" "Cant' tell me Nothing;" and "The Good Life."
Students will analyze these songs in and out of the classroom, and they should expect to share out some of the common themes around wealth, struggle, income, advancement, and the relevance/worth of a college degree. Once they've collected their ideas and feedback, they should turn and talk to their elbow partner about what they learned. A collective classroom conversation will follow. Throughout this activity students should be recognizing similarities and differences picked up from their partners examination of the lyrics, they should also activate prior knowledge taken from the text and see where it reveals itself within the music.
Show and Tell: Showcasing and Artists and their Art
Students should bring one artist that speaks to struggle, uplift, and income. What messages does that artist communicate about financial literacy through their Art?
One Entrepreneur or Minority Owned Business Report
Students will write a one-page paper about a minority Entrepreneur they've learned about on their own. Their report should answer what the person does, why that person is an inspiration to them, and how they went about building their business.
Ted Talk on Finance: One Pager
Students will have a series of homework assignments where they will listen to TedTalks about upward mobility, savings, investments, and entrepreneurship. They will use their mobile devices at home and send feedback to the class, recalling four things they learned, three strategies they took away, and one question they'd like to ask the speaker.
The Philanthropic Project
Students will use their technology to look up two minority philanthropists using their technology. One should be local, and one should be out of the state where they currently reside. They should answer the following questions. 1) How did that person build their business? 2) How do they use their power/platform to give back to others? To take thing a step further, students can get a hands-on learning experience by interning in a philanthropic organization of their choosing to see how they are organized, managed and how exactly they serve people in the surrounding community.
Drawing Your Financial and Life Goals and plan to achieve them
In this project-based activity, students will create a roadmap regarding their financial plan over the next five years. This drawing/ artistic illustration explains to the viewer how they plan to move forward with an entrepreneurial/financially literate mindset. Students draw, paint, sculpt, etc., to communicate their path. Once completed, they'll share their Art with the class and explain how it connects to the overarching ideas and goals of the unit.
When Your Budget Meets Your Life
This activity is a game-based learning platform that starts with the instructor creating flashcards that present economic situations. The students will break up into small groups no larger than three. Each group will be given fake money. They'll then create a budget, picking things to prioritize while having a savings account. The flashcards with scenarios will be pulled from the center of the class; some will help students build wealth, while others will ask them to make tough choices. Students will work together to figure out how to best deal with the situations as they arise and see how unexpected expenses can change things quickly. Some students will flourish while others will become bankrupt, but everyone should learn. Throughout the process students should be using reciprocal questioning techniques to learn from one another and the financial wins and loses they incur.
A Different World and HBCU Story
Students will watch “UNSUNG”-A different world, connecting them to the HBCU series from the early 90s. As they watch the documentary, they should note how the show represents inspiration, upward mobility, educational investment, black pride, and economics. Once the documentary ends, students should use their technology to research an HBCU of their choice. Throughout this lesson they should activate their prior knowledge when it comes to investing, supply and demand, and calculated decision making.
The Tale of Two Dads and The Fresh Prince
Students will watch the clip from The Fresh Prince’s "Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse" the episode is emotional, and students should ask themselves how economics connects with Will's dad and Uncle Phil. How can both men provide different lifestyles for their families due to their economic situations? How do their professional lives play a part in this equation? Should this be an excuse for lack of accountability regarding parenting? How does financial planning come into play with both situations? How does empathy?
Creating a Financial Comic Strip
Students will use their artistic minds to create a comic strip that speaks to actions and consequences regarding money. They can illustrate investing, savings, financial planning, excess spending, frugality, etc. (57)
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