Camp Millionaire? Invest in Financial Education!

Are you interested in connecting Critical Thinking and Financial Education for your child? I’ll also tie in the importance of reading and comprehension and basic math skills. Years ago, I had a young man (age 13) work for me. I’ll never forget the day he said, “Mr. H., I had no idea that math was so important!” He couldn’t fill in his timecard correctly and made mistakes twice that shorted him $150 in his paycheck. I love connecting the dots for students that academics apply so keep focused. I’ll discuss and expose the students to 4 of the best books on financial education, leadership, and setting big goals. 

10 Lesson Topics
Lesson 1, Starting a Business – “So You Want to Become an Entrepreneur?”
Lesson 2 Bitcoin?
Lesson 3, Real Estate Investing.
Lesson 4, Leadership and Character – “Be the Leader You are Meant to Be!”

Additional Methodology and Practice 
My teaching method uses a combination of several elements, with attention to the age group of the class, in order to make the learning process as strong as possible. I include a Student Syllabus, PowerPoint presentation, often use a top book (that I summarize - usually the 3 main points), Case Studies, and personal stories to make either a good point or to make the wrong choice clear. I use an interactive Socratic question teaching approach, summarize/quiz about the main points of the class content 2-3 times during a class, randomly call on students to answer a question (rather than just have kids raise hands to keep everyone engaged), and include a student presentation project with a written component - that coincides with the topic theory (for the multi-day sessions). I ask all students to take during class and typically hand out a note-taking sheet. I’ll also utilize an online game called Cashflow that simulates common financial decision-making and integrates both personal as well as critical thinking (decision making) in business.

Curriculum Plan
Lesson 1, Starting a Business – “So You Want to Become an Entrepreneur?”
1.	Beat the odds – more than half of new businesses fail within 2 years.
2.	What’s your product?
3.	Who are your 3 target customers? Do you know their needs, fears, goals, and problems?
4.	What do you need to start? 
5.	Case Study: First Class Technology
6.	Review the Student Class Project assignment
7.	Class play: CashFlow – “Making Wise Financial Choices”

Lesson 2, Make $$$ in Cryptocurrencies
1.	What is Bitcoin?
2.	What has been going on with cryptocurrency?
3.	What’s the future? 
4.	Is it time to buy or sell?
5.	Pull up a summary chart about Bitcoin growth.
6.	Class play: CashFlow – “Making Wise Financial Choices” (if time allows)

Lesson 3, Real Estate Investing
1.	Stocks vs. Real Estate? 
2.	Is Real Estate the best long-term plan?
3.	How much money do you need?
4.	What is “passive income,” and why is it important?
5.	Case study: Rachel Richards (Retires at 27 yrs old)
6.	Class play: CashFlow – “Making Wise Financial Choices” (if time allows)

Lesson 4, Leadership – “Be the Leader You are Meant to Be!”
1.	Good leadership but bad character
2.	Good leadership with good character
3.	Character makes the difference.
4.	Count the cost. 3 Challenges Leaders need to be ready to face. Being misunderstood, failure, serious opposition.
5.	Book: Make Your Bed, Admiral William McRaven (Leadership)
6.	Take stock: What are 4 personal lessons for each student that Admiral McRaven points out in his book of 10 essentials for life (and good leadership).