Educators take unique approach to teaching math, economics - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

Educators take unique approach to teaching math, economics

By Monica Hernandez - bio | email

JACKSON, MS (WLBT) - Some Central Mississippi educators are taking a unique approach to teaching math.

They're learning how to engage their students in a stock market game. Nearly two dozen educators attended a day-long training session at the computer lab for Jackson Public Schools Friday.

Many of them will begin teaching their students how to play the game next week.

Students in grades 4-12 will be able to invest $100,000 in hypothetical cash with the help of a website.

The winning team in the statewide competition gets a free trip to New York City.

Some of the students in Christy Walker's economic class at Madison Central High School won three years ago.

"To be on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange was probably, just had the largest impact, just to see how it actually worked. I was able to bring that into my classroom," said Walker.

Organizers say they 10-week program helps boost math and economic literacy scores. And gives kids a chance to apply the skills they learn to real life situations.

"It's taking some of the dryness out of some of the things we all have to learn in school and translating it into real world skills," said Dr. Pamela Smith, president of the Mississippi Council on Economic Education, which makes the program possible in the Magnolia state.