"…he would still derive great personal benefit from being initiated in economic independence . For this would result in a 'valorization' of his personality, in making him feel himself capable of succeeding in life by his own efforts and on his own merits, and at the same time it would put him in direct contact with the supreme reality of social life . We speak therefore of letting him earn money by his own work."
- Maria Montessori From Childhood to Adolescence
- Maria Montessori From Childhood to Adolescence
When you went to school, did you learn how to open a savings account, balance a checkbook, make a budget or figure interest? These are all things that LifeSong Middle School students not only learn about, but get to experience first-hand. As part of our Adolescent Program, 7th-9th graders establish a business enterprise and actively participate in all aspects of it. This year, our middle school students elected to offer a weekly salad bar to staff and students. The students practice numerous practical life lessons and master countless everyday financial skills such as:
At the beginning of the year, the branch manager from Regions Bank came to our class to introduce banking basics and establish a checking account for us. The students now use online banking to monitor their account. They use an excel spreadsheet to input orders for salad bar, as well as grocery spending, so that they can update their budget and track profits. The data accumulates each week and they can graph their totals.
As a teacher, parent and business owner, I feel that these are valuable lessons. But, more than that, this experience is fun, memorable and directly applicable to their future success regardless of whether they become an entrepreneur, CEO, homemaker or President of the United States.
Written by Maggie Wertz, Adolescent Guide
- budgeting
- money handling
- cost estimation
- organization and planning
- responsibility
- ability to meet deadlines
- following a task to completion
- teamwork
- marketing
- time management
- record keeping
At the beginning of the year, the branch manager from Regions Bank came to our class to introduce banking basics and establish a checking account for us. The students now use online banking to monitor their account. They use an excel spreadsheet to input orders for salad bar, as well as grocery spending, so that they can update their budget and track profits. The data accumulates each week and they can graph their totals.
As a teacher, parent and business owner, I feel that these are valuable lessons. But, more than that, this experience is fun, memorable and directly applicable to their future success regardless of whether they become an entrepreneur, CEO, homemaker or President of the United States.
Written by Maggie Wertz, Adolescent Guide