HCPS fifth graders meet New Zealand-based children's book author

TOWSON, Md., March 15, 2021 – The Maryland Council on Economic Education (MCEE) partnered with APG Federal Credit Union (APGFCU) to host Elissa Brent Weissman, author of The Short Seller, and the entire Harford County Public School (HCPS) fifth-grade class through virtual events on March 15, 17 and 18, 2021. HCPS students had the opportunity to meet the New Zealand-based children’s book author and discuss The Short Seller, which they are currently reading, as well as their experiences participating in the Stock Market Game.

The Short Seller revolves around a 12-year-old girl, Lindy Sachs, who begins trading stocks in her father’s online trading account while home sick from school. Lindy soon realizes she’s very skillful at e-trading and has an opportunity to be successful.

As HCPS students are reading The Short Seller, they are simultaneously playing the Stock Market Game in class, which educates students about the stock market, America’s economic system and the global economy. Participants develop skills in math, language arts, research and critical thinking while building and maintaining a stock portfolio over several months using $100,000 of virtual cash. This innovative curriculum allows students to apply the information from The Short Seller into creating their own model stock portfolios.

George Toepfer, Supervisor of Social Studies at HCPS, is the visionary who led efforts to incorporate the Stock Market Game into the curriculum for all fifth-grade students. Teachers and students have embraced this innovative approach to teaching Social Studies concepts. This event is the result of a strong partnership between HCPS, MCEE and APGFCU’s generous donation to fund the purchase of the books for the entire HCPS fifth-grade class.

MCEE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which has been training Maryland teachers and providing engaging hands-on programs for K-12 students to encourage transformational learning since 1953. In addition to coordinating the Stock Market Game experience for students state-wide in grades 4-12, MCEE also sponsors the Maryland Personal Finance Challenge, The Maryland Economics Challenge, and a poster contest annually. MCEE’s mission is to ensure Maryland’s children leave school prepared to make thoughtful and responsible economic and personal finance decisions. More information about the MCEE can be found at: www.econed.org

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