What is Finance Park? The Finance Park curriculum is designed as a six week integrated unit to be taught to eighth grade social studies students. At the culmination of this unit, students will visit Finance Park to consider the options available to them in planning a successful personal budget. During this visit, the students will have the opportunity to use these learned experiences by committing to a personally developed budget. To accommodate the student simulation, the facility is divided into separate areas. Each area deals with different aspect of personal financial responsibility. After determining their actual net monthly income, students will visit each of the areas where they will spend time:
Determining what expenditure will be best suited for their salary level.
“Paying their bills” to carry out the appropriate decided upon transactions.
The on-site activities are designed to allow students the opportunity to “put into action” what they learned in the classroom and understand the necessity of and basic steps in putting together a realistic budget. It is anticipated that these experiences will help the student be better prepared for their future and assist in creating educated consumers and financially responsible adults. Goals of Finance Park Curriculum After completing the Finance Park curriculum in class, students will visit the park for a reality based, hands-on simulation. Six students are assigned to a business with one adult volunteer. A typical day is divided into six parts.
Sample of a Daily Schedule
OPENING: Whole group meeting 10 minutes
Staff introductions
General information, policies, expectations and procedures
Overview of the day's events
THE TRUTH REVEALED: Business Group 45 minutes
Students report to assigned business, receive materials, sign in on computers and calculate Net Monthly Incomes and Budget Guidelines.
Volunteers use answer keys to verify all answers
THE BIG SEARCH: Independent work 45 minutes
Students work independently and visit every business in Finance Park, collect option sheets and record opening stock prices. This is their first opportunity to complete the Stetson Survey.
Volunteers monitor and assist students as needed.
THE BUDGET PUZZLE: Business Group 60 minutes
Students use their option sheets to develop a balanced budget based on their fictional life situation. They complete a check register which correctly shows all math computations. Mid-day stock values are recorded. This is their second opportunity to complete the Stetson Survey.
Volunteers provide financial advice to their group of six students to help them make sound decisions and assist with computations.
THE FINAL COMMITMENT: Independent work 90 minutes includes lunch rotations
Students work independently and pay their monthly bills electronically in each business and record the closing stock prices. This is their final opportunity to complete the Stetson Survey.
Students proceed to the checkout area to have their budgets verified by a staff member, receive their award and then select their prize(s).
Lunch is served in Dominos for all students and volunteers.
Volunteers continue to monitor and assist students as needed.
THE CLOSING: Whole group meeting 15 minutes
The day’s events are summarized, businesses are cleaned up and students are dismissed.
Volunteers are then released.
We request that all students sit on the carpet several times during the day. Please encourage students to dress appropriately and comfortably.
How do I sign my child up? Ovations is proud to offer a streamlined sign up process. Click HERE to be taken to our registration page to begin the process. Registration will be open until October 10, 2015 or until all the businesses have been filled, whichever comes first. Once registration is closed you will have to contact our Homeschool representative, Mrs. Cara Keelin at cara@ovationsarts.org to see if there are any cancellations or spots available. Do not contact the Stavros Institute directly, they will not have that information.
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