Focus question:
How necessary is it for most people to use the services of a bank?

Introduction:
From the “Getting Started” page, ask the class to access p.2, “Introduction.” Select two students to act as Diane and Joe in the short scene. Subsequently, have students explain their answers to the following questions:

• Why do people, such as Diane, believe that using the services of a bank is unnecessary?
• How would you respond to what Diane said?
• Which criticism about banks is the most valid? Do you agree with Diane that money orders and check cashers are good substitutes for a checking account?
• If you represented Diane’s neighborhood bank, how would you respond to Diane’s criticisms?
• What question does the short scene with Diane and Joe raise about the necessity of using banks? (“How necessary is it for most people to use the services of a bank?”)

Discussing the activity:
Ask the class to access p. 3, “Objectives.” Have students explain their answers to the following:

• Based on these objectives, what conclusions do you draw about what we’ll be learning from this activity?
• Which of these objectives interests you most?
• If we had an expert on banking with us in class today, what questions would you ask about the topic?

Ask the class to access p. 4, “Projects.” Explain that in this activity they will be required to complete a project about the topics referred to in the objectives. After that, they will have a chance to show what they have learned by creating a set of public service announcements for: 1) radio, 2) television, or 3) newspapers. Have students explain their answers to the following questions:

• What do you know about the features of a good radio public service announcement?
• What do you know about the features of a good television public service announcement?
• What do you know about the features of a good newspaper public service announcement?
• Discuss with the class your specifications and expectations for the projects, including deadlines, criteria for grading their public service announcements, and format for acknowledgements.

Tell students that most of the information for their projects should come from the tutorials. Divide the class into five groups. Assign each group a different one of the following pages to read: p.9, “Overview of Banking Services;” p.10, “Savings Products;” p.11, “Checking Accounts;” p.12, “The Unbanked;” and p.5, “More Information About Banking.” After completing their readings, have students explain their answers to the following:

• Describe what you found on the page(s) you read.
• What did you learn about the topics from your reading?
• What other questions do you have about the project?

Summary:
Ask students to explain their answer about the following question:

• What do you hope to learn by completing this project?