Making $ense of Dollars and Cents

In April, Potomac second and third graders participated in separate daylong workshops designed to introduce important financial concepts. Organized by K-6 Director of Learning Support Sarah Tiamiyu, who also serves as the Lower School’s financial literacy coordinator, the programs were conducted by guest educator Chuchi Arevalo, the founder and CEO of SPARK Business Academy.

Working in teams, the students applied their math skills as they learned about the value and uses of money. The workshops offered them creative, hands-on opportunities to explore such topics as foreign currencies and exchange rates and earning, saving, donating, and investing money.

Sarah explains, “We wanted to make this learning experience special, so we treated it as an in-house field trip. We brought each grade together in a space where they could gather around tables and collaborate. The students were excited to hear from a guest speaker, and Mr. Arevalo took a very engaging approach to introducing them to basic financial concepts. It was a great learning experience for everyone.”

At the end of each grade’s workshop, the students had an opportunity to share what they learned, as parents joined them for the last 45 minute of the program. In their presentations, the students reflected on how they might earn money now (walking dogs, doing chores around the house, and selling lemonade were popular options). They described various U.S. and foreign currencies and chose their favorites, often based on a coin’s shape or size, a bill’s colorful design, or a family connection to the country that issued the currency. And they all reported on how they would use that hypothetical $10 if it suddenly appeared in their pocket.

Reflecting on the program, Lower School Head Dr. Donnette Echols notes, “Financial literacy is one of the critical life skills we work to help Potomac students develop. It’s never too early to make children aware of the value of money – how we earn it and spend it, and why using it responsibly and saving for the future are so important. As our students progress to higher grades, they will explore more complex aspects of financial literacy; programs like this one provide a firm foundation for that future learning.”