{"id":2833,"date":"2010-05-14T00:20:21","date_gmt":"2010-05-14T05:20:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/openwidelookinside\/archives\/2833"},"modified":"2010-05-14T00:20:21","modified_gmt":"2010-05-14T05:20:21","slug":"teaching-economics-through-childrens-literature-pennies-for-elephants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/openwidelookinside\/2010\/05\/14\/teaching-economics-through-childrens-literature-pennies-for-elephants\/","title":{"rendered":"Teaching Economics Through Children’s Literature: Pennies for Elephants"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Pennies for Elephants <\/em>written and illustrated by Lita Judge is a wonderful tale based on a true story of how the children of Boston came together to save three very special circus elephants.\u00a0 A brother and sister duo unite to raise $6000 to save the elephants, which in 1914 is no small task.\u00a0 They ask all the children in Boston to donate their pennies, but they only have two months to save them.\u00a0 Soon children from all along the east coast are donating their pennies to keep these three circus elephants at the Boston zoo.<\/p>\n

This heartwarming story teaches children the importance and satisfaction of saving money.\u00a0 The illustration and newspaper clippings make the book unique while bring the audience into the time period of the book. \u00a0This book introduces children to the important ideas of economics and emphases saving, using a topic that all children love, the circus.<\/p>\n

Curriculum Connections<\/strong><\/p>\n

This heartwarming story is more that just a book about keeping beloved elephants in Boston.\u00a0 It introduces kids to saving, opportunity cost, and interdependence.\u00a0 The children of Boston are left with tough choices about how to use the little money they have (1.8, 1.9, 3.9).\u00a0 Saving their pennies is the only way that the elephants can stay (2.8).<\/p>\n

Additional Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n