| The Stock Market Game Program...
Our class is taking part in The Stock Market Game Program. If you're wondering what it is and what
your
child will learn.... read on...
The program teaches and reinforces these essential skills and concepts:
-1. Critical thinking
-1. Decision-making
-1. Cooperation and communication
-1. Independent research
-1. Saving and investing
Students use real internet research and news updates, making the simulation an even better mirror
of
the real marketplace. While the competitive gameplay creates student excitement, the educational
experience delivers the biggest impact.
Students who participate in the The Stock Market Game™ program learn more than investing. As they
progress, they learn core academic concepts and skills that can help them succeed in the classroom
—
and in life.
Starting with a virtual cash account, students strive to create the best-performing portfolio using a
live
trading simulation. They work together in teams, practicing leadership, organization, negotiation,
and
cooperation as they compete for the top spot. The setup is engaging, and the learning is a natural
part
of the experience.
In building a portfolio, students research and evaluate stocks, and make decisions based on what
they've learned. Teams trade common stocks and mutual funds from the NYSE, Nasdaq and AMEX
exchanges; earn interest on cash balances; pay interest if buying on margin and pay a commission
on
all trades. To determine why certain stocks perform the way they do, or why the broader market has
moved up or down, they need to understand how the economy works, and to calculate their returns
they need to do the math.
Students will be maintaining a journal as part of their portfolio, and they will also have one or two
companies that they will research in more depth. Students will have the opportunity to write to the
company of their choice to learn more about the company.
The game will continue through the end of April.
Stanford 10 National Testing and MEA information
The fifth graders will take the Stanford 10 the week of January 22-25, 2008.
Makeups will be the following week.
The MEAs are always in March. So for the 2007-08 school year, fourth grade
MEAs will March 3-7. Fifth grade MEAs will be March 10 -14. Makeup exams
for both grade levels will be March 17 -21.
Even though there are makeup sessions for each testing period, we STRONGLY
encourage all students to be in attendance for the regular sessions of the
Stanfords and the MEAs. Please try not to schedule family vacations during
testing. Studies have shown that students fare better when they take the
exams with their class. (AND - students may have to miss their special to
take the make-up exam!)
A FEW HINTS ABOUT TEST ANXIETY: Feeling nervous about a test is normal.
Make sure your child is well rested and has a good breakfast each morning
before the test. Remind your child to read the directions carefully so s/he
knows what s/he is supposed to be answering. Teach your child relaxation
techniques, such as deep breathing and thinking positive thoughts.
For more help with test anxiety, check out these websites:
www.familyeducation.com
www. kidsource.com/kidsource/content/standardized.testing.html
www.kidshealth.org
I've included these websites in the Links section of this website.
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