Teaching kids about money is an important life skill that is never to early to begin.  To be creative 2 different lessons were taught to elementary and middle school students.  For the first lesson the 1st grade classes in Bracken County were taught skills about Economics.  The topics included Consumers and Producers, Human, Natural, and Capital resources as well as Needs and Wants and Goods and Services.  Each day a new concept was taught to the kids using stories and hands on activities.  At the end of the week kids were able to identify examples of each of the different topics.  They could also give examples within their community as well as their school. The teachers were very complimentary and appreciated the extra lessons that they felt enhanced their own curriculum.  

For the second lesson the 21st Century Grant afterschool students at both Taylor Elementary (grades 3-5) known as "The Tribe' and the middle school students at Bracken County Middle (grades 6-7) known as "The Artic Club" were given a lesson on budgeting and a field trip to a local thrift store ran by senior citizens where every thing is priced at only 25cents.  Each student was given a budget of $1.00.  At the store the policy is up to 5 books are free and 1 coat.  So students could maximize their opportunities to get more items it they wanted.  By the end of the lesson and field trip the kids had a good idea what a budget was.  Some of the students put together complete outfits, one found new shoes for church, and some bought their family members some gifts.