(A very rainy) Friday. Sixth period. Special ed business math.
They're seniors, and a couple of them had been in that weird long term special ed I covered in February/March. They did their warm up, and then I explained that they had a check writing test.
"Check writing? This is a math class."
Once I passed the paper out, it made sense. They were balancing a check register, and then they had one bank check to fill out. They're doing a unit on banking.
After that, they watched some videos on savings accounts. These were each about five minutes long, and they talked about IRAs, mutual funds, bonds, and retirement. (It's an interesting series on PBS: Two Cents.)
It's cool when I'm in a class where they're doing something that I know they'll need in the future. They might not actually write checks, but the will need to know how to keep track of the money in their bank accounts.
Easy class. Easy day.
(Last week was only a three-day week due to the holiday. That means it was kind of slim pickings for blog fodder.)
That's fantastic. We had a required one semester class in HS "Personal Finance" we had to fill out tax forms, balance checkbooks, etc. It really WAS a good class. I was disappointed my kids didn't have something like that. Practical knowledge.
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad this class was a special ed class. I'm sure the whole student population would benefit from it.
DeleteI never recall learning any real life skills in school and I don't think my kids did either. I think that's fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI can say since the debt card came out, I write way less checks.
ReplyDeleteI rarely write a check, but keep one in my wallet in case debit/credit machines are down. I use a real paper check register. I don't understand how young people know how much they have (or can spend) if they don't. I need to show my balance after autopays that may be weeks away. No, my balance is not what it shows on the app, it's much less!
ReplyDeleteWe had a semester in senior year about this sort of thing. Of course, that was long ago. We were given a hypothetical income (working in groups) and told to make a family budget. Four people in the group, and my parents' ,as well as one other girl's parents' house were paid for, so we went with no mortgage! Teacher had to accept that, as it was true for half the group!
That sounds like an interesting class.
DeleteI think I’ve written 3 checks in 2025.
ReplyDeleteFunny story. We are all so used to using ATM’s …when my daughter was 18 a college freshman, about 10 years ago, she was visiting a friend at another school when she got a phone call from her bank. Someone had tried to fraudulently use her debit card. The bank canceled the card and mailed her a new card. It would take 10 days for the new card to arrive.
She asked me what she was supposed to do in the meantime if she needed cash. She had no idea she could walk into the bank and ask a teller, a real person, to withdraw money from her account,
I don't know if I would know how to get cash from inside a bank either.
DeleteThis is definitely something all students should learn. As a business owner, a profitbale business can be tough to create if you don't ensure the books are accurate.
ReplyDeleteI love practical lessons like this! I'm fine writing checks (although I rarely do anymore). It's stuff like using ApplePay where I could use some help. Thank goodness for my 13 year old granddaughter!
ReplyDeleteI wish they had that kind of class when I was in school. My parents never showed me how to write a check. First time I opened a bank account the teller was nice enough to show me how to write a check.
ReplyDeleteI believe that schools should teach useful skills that are essential in adult life. Best regards, and I invite you to view my latest painting :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a good lesson to learn, for sure, very practical.
ReplyDeleteIt was.
DeleteLearning how to write checks and balance a check register is very important for real life. It’s always great to see students learn skills they will really use. Overall, it sounded like an easy and productive day.
ReplyDeleteIt was.
DeleteI agree, they should teach more of this type of useful skills that will be helpful in their future....
ReplyDeleteThat would be a great required class.
DeleteThat is seriously cool that they are teaching them practical finance skills like check registers and savings accounts, even if they won't write many checks. You are completely right, that's information they will absolutely use for life. It sounds like a great unit and a relaxing, easy end to the week for you. www.melodyjacob.com
ReplyDeleteIt was.
DeleteHad this discussion with my daughter. I so wish school would have taught us something useful. I can't remember where I learned to write a check (she at least was taught that in Middle school). But, I can diagram TF out of a sentence!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, that would be a very useful and interesting topic to deal with at school.
ReplyDeleteIt was.
DeleteEveryone should have this training I had zero training in school for this. I’ve long forgotten my high school math, but I sure would’ve benefited from a unit like this.
ReplyDeleteI think we all would.
DeleteIt's been a long time since I've written a check, and the last time I used a physical check ledger was in 2006! There are a couple vendors I make out checks to in QB. The first time I made out a check at my business I forgot to sign it! It had been so long since I had done any kind of checking or received any checks. Thankfully the vendor was a friend, and we had a good laugh.
ReplyDeleteYeah, checks aren't used very much anymore.
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