By Curtis Loftis
South Carolina State Treasurer
South Carolina children are learning that when they gain knowledge and develop skills, they’re making smart investments in themselves.
Almost 300 educators across the state are using a new lesson plan to teach their kindergarten, first and second grade students that by investing in themselves, they are creating a plan for a successful future. Based on the coloring book story Lucky Ducky and the Smart Plan, the program emphasizes the importance of education, goal setting and planning.
In addition to the Lucky Ducky lesson plan and a class piggy bank, teachers who volunteer to use the program receive book markers for their students as well as Lucky Ducky and the Smart Plan coloring books, featuring illustrations by Pulitzer Prize finalist and South Carolina native Robert Ariail. Teachers help students follow the story of Lucky Ducky and Papa Pig, who develop a plan to help pay for Lucky’s future education.
“The Lucky Ducky lesson is an excellent way to teach our students about careers and the importance of preparing for the future,” said April Guara, a kindergarten teacher at Oak Pointe Elementary School in Irmo. “The students learned how their parents can help them save a little bit of money every year so when they get big, they can take the classes they need to take in order to learn how to do various jobs.”
Created by the Office of State Treasurer Curtis Loftis in partnership with SC Economics, the Lucky Ducky Lesson Plan is designed to introduce key elements of financial literacy that will help young students grow to become wise consumers, producers, savers and investors. Implementing programs that increase financial literacy for South Carolinians has been a passion for Treasurer Loftis since he took office in 2011.
“Personal finance education helps young people create the healthy relationship with money they need to make better spending choices,” said Treasurer Loftis. “Our financial literacy programs provide students of all ages with skills to navigate both the financial opportunities and the economic obstacles that will come with adulthood.”
In addition to the new Lucky Ducky lesson plans for young children, Loftis also administers The South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teacher Program, which offers participating teachers specialized training and financial literacy resources to help them incorporate personal finance education into their curriculum. The statewide financial literacy initiative is sponsored by Future Scholar, South Carolina’s 529 College Savings Plan, in partnership with SC Economics.
“Even our youngest students can learn that having a smart plan will help them reach their goals,” added Treasurer Loftis. “The Lucky Ducky lesson plan helps children understand that when they make good choices, such as studying and practicing new skills, they are making investments in themselves they will use throughout their lives.”