By: Frank McTighe – Editor, Fort Macleod Gazette
July 10, 2013
Sharon Lecocq received an education herself when she agreed to teach a Junior Achievement course to Grade 8 students at F. P. Walshe school.
Lecocq hsaid Thursdeay while the experience was enjoyable, she found out how challenging it can be at the head of the classroom. “I have so much respect for teachers in that grade now,” Lecocq said with a laugh.“ It was very exciting.”
Lecocq provided an update at Thursday’s meeting [of the Fort Macleod & District] on the first Junior Achievement course offered at F.P. Walshe school.
Junior Achievement’s “Dollar and Sense” program was arranged by the Fort Macleod Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Rural Alberta Business Centre and Community Futures Alberta Southwest. Volunteers Srecko Ponjavic, Brian Nelson, Sharon Lecocq, and Heidi Van Herk presented the course to two classes of grade eight students.
“Dollars and Sense” is intended to help students develop financial literacy. The course encourages them to set goals and make informed decisions about their financial futures. Students explored money management, budgeting and investing in the [program].
The “Dollars and Sense” course began with a 45-minute lesson titled “Let’s Talk Money,” followed bt another 45-minute lesson titled “Be a Smart Shopper.” After a break, the students reconvened for a lesson titled “Look After Your Money,” followed by a final 45-minute session titled “Make Your Money Work”.
At the end of the day, students played a game of financial bingo to win prizes.
“I thought it was really good,” Ponjavic said. “We will be looking to do more in the fall”
