What Pet Should I Get?
by Dr. Seuss
Random House, 2015
Reading Level: 1.9; Interest Level: PK-3
Economic concepts/Social Studies SOL: Scarcity, choice, decision-making, cost/benefit analysis, opportunity cost
A boy wants all of the pets in a pet store but he and his sister can choose only one.
Lesson: (adaptable to all elementary grades) Kay and her brother have a difficult decision to make. Their father gives them permission to select one pet from the pet store, and they must do so before noon. Once students hear the story they have the information they need to help the brother and sister make an informed decision. The lesson introduces a good decision-making tool for making an informed decision. Source: Econedlink Written by Lynne Stover
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Whoosh!: Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions
by Chris Barton
illustrated by Don Tate
Charlesbridge Publishing, 2016
Reading Level: 4.7; Interest Level: 2-5
Economic concepts/Social Studies SOL: Investing in human capital, choices, entrepreneurship
This book chronicles the life and achievements of the NASA engineer and inventor Lonnie Johnson. His inquisitive and inventive nature helped him get a great education and have an exciting and successful life. He holds over 80 patents and unexpectedly invented one of the most popular toys of all time – the Super Soaker.
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Isabel’s Car Wash
by Sheila Bair
illustrated by Judy Stead
Albert Whitman, 2013
Reading Level: 4.2; Interest Level: 1-4
Economic concepts/Social Studies SOL: Saving, choices, investing, entrepreneurship
To earn money to buy a doll that she wants, Isabel starts a car wash business with money invested by her friends, hoping to make a profit for everyone.
(Grades 4-6) After discussing the story, students are divided into entrepreneur and investor groups for a business startup simulation. In this simulation, each entrepreneur group uses a business plan and pitch to sell its idea to the investor groups. Each investor group decides on a business to invest in with the money allotted to the group and negotiates a profit percentage with the entrepreneur. Source: Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis.
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Click here for children’s reading list OF 60 TITLES, including grade level & key concepts covered.
Each year the Virginia Council on Economic Education provides comprehensive online resources customized to the three featured books in order to help solidify the concepts and further engage students.
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