Summary
A full single-segment episode (~13 min). Mr. Ratburn challenges the class to go a whole weekend without spending a single cent, and the kids discover what money is really for -- and that a credit card is still spending money, just later. A friendly introduction to choices, value and trade-offs. Free on the official PBS KIDS YouTube channel.
Viewer safety
All ages
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
Discussion
Arthur stories open the door to talking about feelings, friendship and doing the right thing. Use these questions to talk about “Cents-less.”
- What is hard about going a weekend without spending money?
- Why does Francine say using a credit card is still spending?
- What is something you saved up for, and what did you give up to get it?
Quick work-a-long
Vocabulary: money, spend, save, cost, choice.
Try it: Pick something you'd like to buy. List one cost and one benefit of buying it.