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Discovery Education and Jackson Charitable Foundation Empower Students to be Money Smart Kids in Honor of Financial Literacy Month

press release cha ching 2019 day of learning

Financial Literacy Experts and K-6 Educators to Participate in All-Day Virtual Event on Twitter Designed to Spark Conversations About Money in Classrooms Nationwide

In celebration of Financial Literacy Month, Jackson Charitable Foundation and Discovery Education, the leading provider of standards-aligned digital curriculum resources, engaging content, and professional learning for K-12 classrooms, today announced the Day of Financial Literacy Learning and Fun – a day of online engagement dedicated to empowering educators with the tools, knowledge and confidence they need to teach K-6 students about financial literacy.

“Money-smart kids turn into money-smart adults. When students learn about the choices they have with money, it empowers them to take control of their futures,” said Danielle Robinson, executive director, Jackson Charitable Foundation. “We are thrilled to partner with Discovery Education, making it easier for educators and parents to teach basic financial skills. Together, we are training the next generation of leaders to understand how money works, giving them the confidence to make sound financial decisions.”

On Thursday, April 4, 2019, follow #MoneySmartKids on Twitter to participate in a lively, informative discussion hosted by the Jackson Charitable Foundation and Discovery Education around how to embed financial literacy learning in the classroom. Also, gain access to free financial literacy resources and learn instructional strategies for how to talk to students about money from experts in the financial literacy education space.

During the day of online engagement, Danielle Robinson from the Jackson Charitable Foundation will team up with Jump$tart, Junior Achievement USA, Chris Hogan, national best-selling author and financial expert, Hilary Hunt, former director of financial education for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Alice Wilder, producer for Blue’s Clues and co-creator for Super WHY! for an interesting, informative conversation. Educators are also invited to share photos and videos of how their students are celebrating the Day of Financial Literacy Learning and Fun using #MoneySmartKids for a chance to receive exciting giveaways.

Educators are encouraged to start the day by downloading the new, no-cost, educational classroom activity from Cha-Ching Money Smart Kids! The activity, Earn, Spend, Save and Donate, includes a three-minute music video to explore the basics of financial literacy, including: where money comes from, the different choices students have for using it, and the important decisions that come with money.

Online ‘Day of Financial Literacy Learning and Fun’ engagements are listed below:

  • SET THE STAGE: MORE MONEY (KNOWLEDGE) – LESS PROBLEMS (10:00 a.m. ET) Join Discovery Education, Jackson Foundation and Junior Achievement to learn how to set students up for financial literacy success. New Cha-Ching Money Smart Kids! curriculum released during this time.
  • ASK THE EXPERTS: FINANCIALLY HEALTHY HABITS START EARLY (12:00 p.m. ET) Discuss the state of financial education with experts from Jump$tart, Chris Hogan, National Best-Selling Author and Financial Expert, and Hilary Hunt, Former Director of Financial Education, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
  • LEARNING APPLIED: YOUR FINLIT GAME PLAN (2:00 p.m. ET) Put fun into financial literacy with Danielle Robinson, Executive Director at Jackson Charitable Foundation, and Dr. Alice Wilder, Emmy award winning Ed Psychologist behind Blue’s Clues.

“Discovery Education is proud to partner with Jackson Charitable Foundation to inspire students to master fundamental money management principles,” said Lori McFarling, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Discovery Education. “The ‘Day of Financial Literacy Learning and Fun’ is designed to support our youngest learners, giving them the tools they need to start making money smart decisions at an early age.”

Cha-Ching Money Smart Kids! aims to empower youth across the country with critical 21st century skills by beginning high-quality financial education in elementary school, where financial education can be fundamentally embedded in the core learning experience. The program includes digital curriculum for educators, family activities, and a back-to-school contest designed to bring personal finance topics to life across all subject areas. This engaging and fun financial education program, designed to train the next generation of financially empowered adults, equips students in grades K-6 with the knowledge, tools, and practice they need to make informed decisions to reach their goals and dreams.

Since launching in April 2017, Cha-Ching Money Smart Kids! has reached millions of parents, students and educators. This partnership features the engaging Cha-Ching cartoon band comprised of six energetic characters, brought to life in music videos, that help children learn about fundamental money management concepts through the band members’ different approaches to money habits. The videos feature storylines that bring to life the four key concepts of money and were created by Dr. Alice Wilder.

“Learning about money at school generates conversations about money at home, where young people form their deepest beliefs and values. ‘Cha-Ching’ helps me to prepare my students with the knowledge, tools and practice they need to make smart money decisions,” said Brandon Wislocki, 5th grade teacher, Irvine Unified School District, Irvine, Calif. “With the ‘Cha-Ching Day of Financial Literacy Learning and Fun,’ Discovery Education and the Jackson Charitable Foundation are putting students on a path to financial achievement in adulthood, where money smart choices can positively impact the trajectory of their lives.”

Cha-Ching Money Smart Kids! resources are accessible on Cha-ChingUSA.org and within Discovery Education Streaming Plus, an award-winning comprehensive digital service supplementing instruction across all K-12 curricular areas. Discovery Education Streaming Plus empowers educators to create dynamic learning environments that mirror students’ use of technology outside the classroom. For more information about Discovery Education’s digital curriculum content and professional development services, visit discoveryeducation.com. Stay connected with Discovery Education through social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest @DiscoveryEd.

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About Jackson Charitable Foundation:

The Jackson Charitable Foundation, the charitable-giving arm of Jackson National Life Insurance Company, is a 501 (c)(3) private operating foundation. Its mission is to provide educational programming to increase the financial knowledge of Americans. Its vision is for all Americans to have the strong personal finance skills that allow people to live fuller, more self-directed lives. The Foundation works with Jackson associates and world-class partners to provide economic opportunities that build strong communities. Follow the Jackson Charitable Foundation at jacksoncharitablefoundation.org, on Facebook at @JacksonCharitableFoundation and on Twitter at @JacksonFdn.

About Discovery Education:

Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-aligned digital curriculum resources, engaging content, and professional learning for K-12 classrooms. Through its award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia resources, and the largest professional learning network of its kind, Discovery Education is transforming teaching and learning and improving academic achievement around the globe. Discovery Education’s services are available in approximately half of U.S. classrooms and primary schools in the U.K., and reach over 5 million educators and 51 million students in more than 90 countries. Inspired by the global media company Discovery, Inc., Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and like-minded organizations to empower teachers with customized solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at DiscoveryEducation.com.

Contacts:

Jackson Charitable Foundation
Danielle Robinson
Email: Danielle.Robinson@jackson.com
Phone: (517) 367-4769

Discovery Education
Charmion N. Kinder
Email: CKinder@discoveryed.com
Phone: (240) 274-2173