The Snelfu Snafu

PARENTS’ &
CAREGIVERS’
Workshop Supplement
The Snelfu Snafu
Math Topics: Saving & Spending Money
THE SNELFU SNAFU
OVERVIEW
This workshop has been developed to help parents and caregivers show their kids some fun ways to
manage money. Based on the two-part CYBERCHASESM episode “The Snelfu Snafu,” the activities
challenge kids to use math to make smart money choices they can use in real life.
In Activity 1, your group will be introduced to CYBERCHASE and meet the Cybersquad as they tackle saving,
spending and budgeting problems. Parents also will participate in two “smart money” activities they can do
at home with their kids.
WHY THE WORKSHOP?
Children’s purchasing power is at an all-time high. Children under 13 influence family spending to the tune
of $600 billion per year. That’s in addition to the $40 billion they spend themselves on candy, clothes and
other items. Educating them now while their spending and saving habits are still developing is key.
Math and money — they’re a natural fit. There is a strong need to provide age- and grade-appropriate links
between math and money management that parents and caregivers can use with their kids in their saving
and spending decisions. CYBERCHASE shows how math is a friendly tool they can use to efficiently manage
their money every day.
WHAT’S THE MATH?
Algebra
A little money saved at a steady rate over time can add up to a lot!
Number & Operations
When there are several items you need to buy, compare their total cost with the amount you have so you’re
sure you have enough.
Get ready for
some math fun —
CYBERCHASE style!
Produced by:
Funded by:
CYBERCHASE is produced by Thirteen/WNET New York and Nelvana International Limited. Major funding is provided by the National Science Foundation, PBS and
the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Additional funding is provided by The Intel Foundation and the Volckhausen Family. Corporate funding provided by Intel
Corporation.
©2005 Educational Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved. CYBERCHASE is a trademark of the Educational Broadcasting Corporation.
MATERIALS
Activity 1: Meet the Cybersquad!
• VCR and monitor
• CYBERCHASE two-part episode 309 & 310 “The Snelfu Snafu”
(provided, and also available for purchase at PBS Video by calling 1-800-344-3337, or online at
www.shoppbs.com/teachers. Search: Cyberchase.)
Activity 2: It All Adds Up!
• Advertisements from newspaper circulars featuring kids’ stuff (electronics, clothing, sports equipment, toys,
etc.) and adults’ stuff (cars, real estate, vacation packages, jewelry, home gym equipment,
furniture, appliances, etc.). Make sure some items appear in more than one circular so workshop
participants can comparison shop.
• Scissors
• Paste
• Markers
• 8 1/2” x 11” sheet of paper, one per person
• VIEW, DO AND READ: MAKE A SAVINGS DIARY (master provided for duplication), one per person
Activity 3: Gollywood Squares
• “Gollywood Squares” Board Game (master provided for duplication), one per participant, consisting of:
• “How to Play Gollywood Squares”
• “How to Assemble Gollywood Squares” (2-sided sheet)
• Game board (3 sheets)
Here’s what
• Snelfus (one sheet each of 1s, 5s, 10s, 20s)
you’ll need to get
• “Autograph” Cards
started.
• “Get a Job” Cards
• Player pieces
(such as pennies, paper clips and different color buttons)
• Scissors, one per person
• Invisible tape, one roll for every 2 or 3 people
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MATERIALS (continued)
Parent/Caregiver Take-Home Materials*:
Duplicate the following items for distribution to parents/caregivers attending the workshop using the masters
provided. (Alternatively, the Snelfu Snafu afterschool workshop activity kit is downloadable at the “For
Parents and Teachers” section at Cyberchase Online at pbskidsgo.org/cyberchase).
•
•
•
•
•
•
VIEW, DO AND READ: LET’S GO SHOPPING
VIEW, DO AND READ: MAKE A SAVING DIARY
MAKE A BUZZ BANK
MY CYBERCHASE ADVENTURE Story Starter (master provided for duplication), one per person
Certificate of Participation (master provided for duplication), one per person
PBS Video Catalog (Contact your local PBS station.)
* You may also contact Cyberchase Outreach at (877) 290-9912 or [email protected] to order the CYBERCHASE AT HOME activity
packet, available in English and Spanish, one per participant.
Please note: Quantities are limited. Requests will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Electronic versions can be downloaded
at the “For Parents and Teachers” section at Cyberchase Online (pbskidsgo.org/cyberchase).
Wrap-Up and Evaluation:
• Evaluation Forms (masters provided for duplication)
• Workshop Evaluation — To be completed by each workshop participant (i.e., parent/caregiver).
• Training Workshop: Facilitator Feedback* — To be completed by the workshop facilitator(s) using
information compiled from the individual Workshop Evaluation forms.
• Outreach Feedback Form* — To be completed by the workshop facilitator(s).
*Please return to CYBERCHASE staff via fax at (212) 560-6948.
SET UP
TIP:
We suggest you
Review all materials ahead of time.
watch
both
episodes on
• Set up VCR and monitor.
your own and review the
• Preview the two-part episode.
discussion questions ahead
• CUE tape to the scene in “The Snelfu Snafu - Part 1” (about 5 minutes
of time to become familiar
into the tape) that shows the “U-Want, U-Bid” board with a “35” on it
with the content.
and Digit says, “It’s already up to 35 snelfus! We gotta buy that chip!”
• Make copies of all handouts for each activity as noted.
• Prepare one copy of the board game. (Instructions for assembly provided.)
• Prepare one copy of the Savings Diary as shown on the VIEW, DO AND READ: MAKE A SAVINGS DIARY.
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ACTIVITY #1
(10 minutes)
meet the cybersquad!
GOAL: Introduce the CYBERCHASE Financial Literacy Project to participants.
1.
To start the workshop, invite the people in your group to talk about money-related experiences they
have had with their kids. Ask: When do you think kids should start learning about how to
manage their money? (The sooner, the better!) Ask: Did you know that kids under 13 spend
about $40 billion a year in candy, clothes and other items?
In this workshop, we’ll talk about ways to help your kids become smart shoppers, savers and
spenders. We will:
• watch a clip from CYBERCHASE so you can meet the Cybersquad and see how they
tackle a savings problem, and
• find out about some fun activities that will help you help your child learn about smart
money management.
2.
Before showing the clip, introduce the idea, A little money saved over time can add up to a lot! Provide
an example of a time when something that was seemingly small and insignificant added up to a lot
as time passed. (A dripping faucet over time filled the sink to overflowing, pocket change saved each
day helped pay for a vacation, buying one less coffee a week saved enough money for a new
personal item, etc.) Invite participants to share their own experiences.
3. Say: This is the idea the Cybersquad explores in Part 1 of “The Snelfu Snafu.” Set the stage for
viewing: Here’s what’s happening — someone is auctioning off Motherboard’s encryptor chip
(a computer part vital to her operation!) and the Cybersquad has eleven days to get enough
snelfus (cyber money) to outbid the highest bidder! Will the kids have enough money in
time? Let’s watch.
4.
PLAY the tape segment. Stop when Digit says, “Let’s see, if we saved one a day like I did with these
caps, it would take us, ZOINK! 100 days to save 100 snelfus?” Start a discussion. Ask: How would
you advise the Cybersquad? (Save more snelfus, get more jobs, sell some things they didn’t need,
etc.)
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ACTIVITY #1
(continued)
meet the cybersquad!
5.
6.
7.
Say: Let’s see what happens. Continue to PLAY the tape. STOP when Hacker laughs after saying,
“Aren’t auctions fun?” Then say: That would be The Hacker, the ultimate bad guy, who wants the
chip to control Motherboard and rule cyberspace. Will the kids outbid him? You’ll have to
watch and see!
Discuss ways to view the episode with kids (watch it when it airs). Provide the group with a printout
of your PBS station’s broadcast schedule. Alternatively, introduce parents/caregivers to local viewing
schedules by using the “TV Schedule” link at the bottom of the homepage of the CYBERCHASE
website (pbskidsgo.org/cyberchase).
Explain to participants that the clip they saw is from Part 1
of the two-part episode that focuses on using math to save
money. In Part 1, the Cyber kids get jobs and keep track
of how much money they earn each day and how much
more they have to earn to meet their goal. The second part
focuses on using math to spend money when funds are
limited.
TIP:
The videos are also
available for purchase at PBS Video by
calling 1-800-344-3337 or online at
www.shoppbs.com/teachers (Search:
Cyberchase).
NOTE: Two other
episodes focus on math and
money. In “Trading Places,” the
Cybersquad finds out about how
money and bartering work. And in
“Balancing Act,” the Cybersquad
makes and uses a budget.
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ACTIVITY #2 (20 minutes)
It All Adds Up!
GOAL: To familiarize participants with an activity they can do with their child at home, and to learn
how to make a savings diary that their child can use.
1.
2.
Introduce the activity by saying: Now I’m going to show you a fun and easy way to help your kids
understand how “a little money saved over time can add up to a lot!”
Distribute the flyers and have your group look at them.
Explain that some are “Kid Wish List” flyers. These are
examples of what they should use with their child at
Parents/caregivers can
home. The rest are the “Adult Wish List” flyers you have
challenge older children to be “smart
collected for them to use now.
shoppers” by price-shopping —
choosing the store that has the lowEmphasize that the purpose of this activity is to create a savings
est price for what they want to buy.
plan, so the dream item should be something they (or their kids
when they do this at home) have to work and save up for. Note
that the item might also be a gift they want to buy for another person
or donate to an organization.
TIP:
3.
4.
5.
Allow several minutes for participants to go through flyers and choose their items. Encourage them to
share their ideas as they look.
Give each person a copy of the VIEW, DO AND READ: MAKE A SAVINGS DIARY, and a blank piece of
paper. Provide scissors and markers for decorating. Say: Here is something fun to make and use
to keep track of how you are going to work and save money. Use your pre-made version to
demonstrate the process of folding and cutting. Allow time for parents to make and decorate their
diaries.
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ACTIVITY #2 (continued)
It All Adds Up!
6.
7.
8.
Review the “How to Make Your Savings Plan” section of the “Make a Savings Diary” activity. Invite
parents to talk about the item they chose from the flyers, and what plan they could come up with to
save for it. Demonstrate how to make the chart in the booklet for their record keeping:
Share ideas about how to do this with kids at home.
End the session by asking: What are some other ways to help kids understand that a little money
saved over time adds up to a lot? Listen to responses. (Start a penny jar for special treats; keep
“spare change” from your wallet the end of the day for a week, etc.)
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ACTIVITY #3 (20 minutes)
GOLLYWOOD SQUARES
GOAL: To show participants how to assemble and play the “Gollywood Squares” board game, and to
demonstrate the math-and-money skills it reinforces.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Put the activity in context: In Part 2 of “The Snelfu Snafu,” the Cybersquad has to buy several
parts to fix Motherboard, and they have limited amount of snelfus (cyber money) to spend.
Because they use math to keep track of their spending, they are able to make smart choices
and buy the parts without going broke. Now let’s look at a CYBERCHASE board game that
builds on these concepts. You will each get a copy of it to take home and play with your child.
Show the group the game board and game pieces you’ve assembled.
Explain: The game is called “Gollywood Squares” and is set in a
cybersite called Gollywood where cyberstars live.
Explain the rules: Each player starts with 60 snelfus. (Hold up some
snelfus.) The object of the game is to be the first to buy the four
Cybersquad autographs at 25 snelfus apiece. (Hold up some autograph
cards). Players take turns rolling the die (or spinning, if you don’t have a
die) and moving around the board. This is harder than it sounds: Along
the way, some spaces help you get more snelfus, some tempt you to
spend, and some force you to spend! And of course there is a penalty
for running out of snelfus before you make it around the board.
Invite four participants to play the game while others watch. (Alternatively,
you might make extra board games so several groups of four can play.)
Encourage participants to “think out loud” as they make moves around
the board and make choices about spending or not spending. (For examPoint
ple, Should I buy this now? If I do, I may run out before I make it around
out the squares left blank
on the game board.
the board to “Get a Job!” Similarly, “Hack Attacks” that are coming up on
Participants can work with
the board might drain resources dangerously low — players who run out
kids to make their game
of money have to pay the consequences!)
unique by adding their own
consequences for landing
Give each participant a copy of the game to assemble and take home.
on these spaces.
Demonstrate the assembly, and talk about the other game pieces not
included, but which are easy to find around the house. Allow time for
participants to cut out the snelfus and read through the assembly instructions so that you can answer
any questions. And demonstrate the spinner for those who do not have dice at home.
TIP:
5.
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WRAP-UP/EVALUATION (10 minutes)
To end the workshop, thank the group for their participation. Make sure to point out the additional
resources in “WAIT, THERE’S MORE!” on page 11.
TAKE-HOME ACTIVITIES
Hand out the take-home materials and point out the MAKE A BUZZ BANK activity, designed for both saving
and spending, and the activity on the VIEW, DO AND READ: LET’S GO SHOPPING, which provide additional
fun things to do. Give each parent/caregiver a copy of MY CYBERCHASE ADVENTURE to take home to their
child. Encourage them to invite their child to use his/her imagination to finish the adventure and draw
pictures to illustrate it.
CERTIFICATE
After completing the workshop, reward each participant with a Certificate of Participation.
EVALUATION FORMS
Be sure to complete the evaluation forms included in this package, following the directions provided in
the MATERIALS section of these instructions. Please return all forms to CYBERCHASE staff via fax at
(212) 560-6948. Your feedback helps us develop future CYBERCHASE materials.
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WAIT, THERE’S MORE!
CYBERCHASE WEB SITE (pbskidsgo.org/cyberchase)
Kids join the Cybersquad and use their money smarts to defeat Hacker in our wild new Web adventure
game, CYBERCHASE: The Quest. In this immersive, replayable game, kids go on action-packed quests
while developing money-management skills to defeat the bad guys!
BOOKS TO READ
Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday
By Judith Viorst
(Simon & Schuster, 1978)
Last Sunday, Alexander’s grandparents gave him
a whole dollar—and, boy, did he feel rich!
Dreaming of buying a walkie talkie one day,
Alexander discovers that saving money is hard
work. Before he knows it, the dollar is gone, and
the reader gets a funny account of where the
money went.
How the Second Grade Got $8,205.50 to Visit the
Statue of Liberty
By Nathan Zimelman
(Albert Whitman & Company, 1992)
The second grade at Liberty Barnaby School is working hard to raise money for a
class trip to the Statue of Liberty. But something always seems to go wrong with
their money-making ideas. Will the class ever earn enough for the trip?
.
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