Sam and the Lucky Money
A little Chinese boy, Sam, must decide how to spend the four dollars he has received for Chinese New Year. His mother takes him to Chinatown and as Sam navigates through many stores he is overwhelmed with the choices and also realizes his four dollars is not enough to buy everything he wants. He practices decision-making when he compares multiple options and faces scarcity. Finally he decides to give his money to a poor man in the street who has no shoes.
Economic Concepts
- Decision-Making
- Choices
- Economic wants
- Goods and services
- Incentives
Grade Levels
- Primary (K-3)
- Intermediate (4-6)
Related Subjects
- Multicultural Education
- Personal Finance
This story can be used in the classroom to teach the following economic concepts: decision making, choices, social classes, goods and services, money and exchange, and incentives. After reading this book aloud to the class, an auction can be performed in the classroom to review. The teacher can bring in a wide range of items for the students to buy while they act as consumers. The students may receive fake money by doing things like good deeds or turning in their homework on time. During the auction, the students will have the opportunity to practice decision making.
Also, just as Sam helped the needy, the students may also start a penny drive to collect money to give to those less fortunate.
Helpful links:
http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/score_lessons/special_events/chinese_newyear/
http://learningtogive.org/lessons/unit280/lesson1.html
http://learningtogive.org/lessons/unit34/lesson3.html