Through the first quarter, almost 13,700 people had been exposed to the Internet game, and 24,000 student workbooks were distributed to Lutheran schools. AAL, a Fortune 500 organization based in Appleton, Wis., is a fraternal benefit society of 1.7 million members who are joined together for insurance, education and volunteer opportunities. Students earn punches through various activities and through raises for jobs well-done. Punches may be placed into savings accounts and used to pay such things as rewards, loans and fines. Connie Becker established a classroom management program, Buckoes, that encourages saving money to earn interest.
Children receive a weekly salary and also earn buckoes for various activities.
They learn to manage money with a checking account for withdrawals and deposits, and a savings account. Pam Cook's classroom project began after her first-graders talked about ways to raise more money for Lutheran World Relief. Twice a month, the children sell baked goods donated by their parents, popcorn and inexpensive candy to other students and donate profits to projects that benefit people in their community. During the unit, they first learn economic concepts and then must raise investment capital, purchase raw materials, produce a product, set prices and sell the cookies to students and staff. Profits are donated to charitable groups.