A Joy Filled Learning Experience that Inspires Big Dreams and Great Money Habits!
Outlined below are seven easy-to-follow steps for leading a Sammy Rabbit Dream Big Read community service project. This strategic financial education experience allows college and high school students to engage second to fourth graders at a local elementary school while earning community service credit. It’s fun, purposeful, and a valuable learning opportunity for everyone involved.
Summary of Steps
The learning experience can be categorized into 3 phases and 7 steps. They are:
Phases
(1) Pre-Experience (2) The Actual Experience (3) Post Experience.
Steps
Plan and prepare
Introduction
Reading the Storybook
Reviewing and discussing the storybook
Doing an activity
Closing and summarizing key lessons learned
Reflecting on the experience and next steps
Let's dive a little deeper into each phase and step.
Phase 1 - Pre Experience | Estimated Time: 1 to 2 hours
1. Plan and prepare
Schedule community service project - reading - financial education experience
Design your agenda for the session. See sample agendas
Write a few sentences to introduce yourself, the topic, and agenda
Review and practice reading the storybook - Sammy's Big Dream! Decide if you will read online or print version of storybook.
Review activity. Make copies of selected activity to hand out to learners. (NOTE: Refer to hyperlink at 5 below for starting activities)
Phase 2- The Experience | Estimated Time: 30 minutes to 1 hour
2. Introduce yourself, the topic, and agenda
3. Read the storybook Sammy's Big Dream!
4. Discuss and review the story. Ask kids to share one of their big dreams they would be willing to work earn and save money for. See Menu of Story Discussion Questions
5. Choose one activity from Sammy Rabbit's Money School for learners to complete. Here are a few examples.
Have learners recite and sign Sammy's Dream Big Pledge
Have learners set a savings goal
6. Close the session by summarizing key lessons from the story:
Great habits help make big dreams come true
Earning and saving money are great habits
Anyone can choose to have great habits
Phase 3 - Post Experience | Estimated Time: 30 minutes to 2 hours
7. Reflect on your experience. Consider:
Completing survey and providing feedback on the experience including what worked and what can be improved
Repeating the experience with new learners or leading a program (a series of experiences whether it be 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 sessions)
Learning more about Sammy's 'Be the Change' and build a better future financial literacy initiative for high school and college students.strategy and how you can grow your impact and make an even bigger difference.
Optional Activities to Enrich the Experience
Teach, sing, and discuss the Sammy Rabbit song Get in the Habit with learners! Locate more songs here, including the song Big Ol' Dream
Do a "dream big" brainstorm with learners and have them start their own Dream Big Journal
Do a Sammy art and craft or more activities with learners
Review and do a tour of Sammy's Money School with learners and encourage them to keep learning by taking advantage of Sammy's "FREE" Money School Memberships!
Take Action Today!
Are you ready to make a difference? Contact Sammy now! Do the same if you have questions, suggestions, or want to talk early age, youth, and family financial literacy!
Together, let’s inspire kids to dream big and enable them to build brighter futures!
More Resources and Information
ATTN: Students - Grow Your Impact and Network
Share your story, gain valuable exposure, and inspire young leaders to 'Be the Change!'
Explore student blogs where peers share what motivated them to enhance their financial literacy knowledge, habits, and skills." Contact Sammy now! 