My son’s graduation ceremony took place this past weekend. The sun finally made an appearance, so it was held on the high school football field. There were actually a few good speeches. The principal called the graduates the “Online Generation”, and how credentials will mean less in this day of YouTube and blogging. One of the high-ranking students talked about following your passion. He also encouraged his classmates to follow an unconventional path as long as it takes them where they want to go. He tasked them with trying several things they never would have tried before starting college in the fall (he stressed legal things). I thought it was a great speech.
A Brainstorm
This got me thinking. My son has had a summer reading assignment each year since his summer after 5th grade. The students were given a book to read, and had to either complete a book report or PowerPoint presentation in time for their first English class in September. My son thought he was off the hook because he graduated. Heh heh. Little did he know…
C’mon Dad! Not Another Book Report!
So this year, I’m giving him a reading assignment. I figured that I’d start him off with something breezy, so he’s going to read The Wealthy Barber (he was thrilled when I told him he didn’t have to write a paper).
I’ve reviewed The Wealthy Barber on this website, and it was the first personal finance book that I had read. It’s told in a narrative form that’s easy to follow, and hopefully it catches his interest. I just want him to take away something out of the book (hopefully on paying yourself first).
A “Soft” Due Date
I’m giving him the whole summer to read it, so as not to turn him off completely. I hope he’ll get into it, and actually learn something from it (not just that his dad is a pain in the ass). Time will tell.
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#1 by Matt Jabs at June 30th, 2009
That is a great idea… and one that will probably benefit your son more than you know.
If the principles can sink in when he is still at this tender age, so much benefit can come from getting started young.
Cheers!
Matt Jabs´s last blog ..In God We Trust - Not In Money, Fame, and Fortune
#2 by enrique s at June 30th, 2009
Matt,
Thanks for the comment. His high school actually offered a class that taught some basics, such as checkbooks, the stock market, etc. so he’s acquainted with some of the concepts. I’m hoping this reading assignment will reinforce them. It also gives his brain something to do before college starts.