Tammy Wadley

South Paulding Middle School, Dallas, GA
Teaches 6-8 Grade Family and Consumer Science

Educational Accomplishment
I developed a checkbook simulation that is used throughout the county in all middle schools.

Creative Use of Resources
I used many of the overhead worksheets from the Practical Money Skills section on banking services to show my students how to open a checking account, sign endorsements, write deposit slips and write checks. I then took it a step further and made copies of example deposit slips and checks for student practice. I used deposits and checks to illustrate how to record transactions in a check register for maintaining an account.

Then I used the “Keep a Running Balance” activity on the Practical Money Skills Web site for students to work independently to practice their new skills. The final step was a checkbook simulation that I developed last year and now is published and used throughout the county. The checkbook simulation contains the following: three deposits, including one requesting money back and another containing fifteen checks of all different origins; one ATM visit; one bill paid online; and one check card usage. Once the students had written and recorded their scenarios they received notes on the six steps to checkbook reconciliation and a bank statement and had to balance their own bank simulation.

Student Benefits
Virtually all students will be opening a checking account of their own during high school or soon after graduation. This lesson will be a useful tool that they will carry with them forever.

Teacher Appreciation
I have received lots of praise from parents, teachers, and administrators on the importance of this unit and how they appreciate the time I take in teaching every child these basic fundamentals.

Supplemental Materials

Tammy created the following assignment for her classroom.

Checkbook Simulation

Directions: Make the following banking transactions and record them on the check register in order as they appear below. Write your name, address and telephone number on all deposit slips and checks. When the last deposit and check has been written follow the six steps to reconciling your checking account to balance your checking account.

This is a major test grade! Do not remove from the classroom!

1. September 3, 2004 - 1st Deposit: You open your checking account with the following deposit information: Check # 3698 for $165.00, Check #2438 for $ 89.63 and one twenty dollar bill, you request no money back.

2. September 4, 2004 - Write check #101 to the Electric Company for $62.88 for your electric bill, your account number is 12648932.

3. September 4, 2004 - Write check #102 to SuperFresh Market for groceries in the amount of $76.54.

4. September 6, 2004 - Write check #103 to Jim’s Gas Station for $22.00 for gas and oil.

5. September 8, 2004 - 2nd Deposit: Check #828 for $328.00, check #368 for $175.80 and check # 4658 for $132.00.

6. September 9, 2004 - Write check #104 to Phone, Inc. for telephone service in the amount of $42.67, your account number is 1582597845.

7. September 10, 2004 - Write check #105 to Trusty Bank for you car payment in the amount of $346.72, your account number is 189754822.

8. September 13, 2004 - You go to the ATM machine and use your debit card to withdraw $40.00 from your checking account. Because you did not use your bank’s ATM, they charge you an additional $2.00. Record this withdrawal as one entry on your check register.

9. September 15, 2004 - Write check #106 to Funday Toys for your cousin’s birthday present in the amount of $26.87.

10. September 17, 2004 - Write check #107 to Paulding County Water and Sewer for $15.88, your account number is 369421.

11. September 18, 2004 - Write check #108 to Bigfoot Shoe Store for new shoes in the amount of $68.33.

12. September 19, 2004 - You pay your car insurance through the Internet. The company name is Keep Safe Insurance and the amount is $142.00.

13. September 19, 2004 - Write check # 109 to Top Choppers for a haircut for $12.00.

14. September 19, 2004: 3rd Deposit: Paycheck #2699 for $280.00 and check number 389 for $158.00, you request $40.00 back in cash.

15. September 20, 2004 - Write check #110 to SuperFresh Market in the amount of $46.28 for groceries.

16. September 20, 2004 - Use your check card at Action Video for two movies and popcorn in the amount of $8.15.

17. September 21, 2004 - Write check #111 to TVConnect for your cable bill in the amount of $52.67, your account number is 4658712.

18. September 21, 2004 - Write check # 112 to Trusty Bank Credit Card for your credit card bill $30.00, account number CO5852369.

19. September 26, 2004 - Write check #113 to Floppy Joe’s Pizza for pizza and tip in the amount of $16.00.

20. September 28, 2004 - Write check # 114 to Reader’s Book Store for two new books in the amount of $26.95.

21. September 29, 2004 - Write check #115 to Party Palace for birthday party decorations in the amount of $59.36.