UNRAAVEL UNRAAVEL A Reading Strategy Developed by Larry Bell APHS Literacy Team

U —Underline the title. N —Now predict the topic and main ideas. R —Run through and number the paragraphs. A —Are you reading the question? A —Are the important words circled? V —Venture through the passage. E —Eliminate incorrect answers. L —Let the questions be answered.

Click to start Learn How to UNRAAVEL M IAMI, Florida (Achieve3000, February 15, 2010). Every day after school, Phyllis Quach goes to a warehouse brimming with silk flowers, stuffed animals, and various other gift items that her parents sell through their South Florida wholesale company. Helping with the family business allows the 17-year-old to learn valuable lessons about business finance. One such lesson is that a recession, like the one that has gripped the U.S., makes the challenging task of running a business even tougher. Phyllis greeted the challenge as an opportunity, signing up for a class in personal finance. In recent years, an increased number of high schools have started offering such courses— and they have been well received by students. According to the Council for Economic Education, the number of states requiring public high schools to offer a personal finance course rose from 9 to 15 between 2007 and In fact, 13 of those states have made the course a graduation requirement, up from 7 in In these classes, students learn about spending and saving money, balancing a budget, and managing credit. They also learn various aspects of purchasing a home, including making a down payment and selecting a loan. "[We need to ensure that] students graduate from high school with a better understanding of basic economics, basic finance, and the benefits and risks associated with debt," said U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner. Right on the Money Make a prediction, then click. U nderline the title. N ow, based on the title, predict what the passage may be about. R un through and number the paragraphs in the passage. A re you reading the questions? A re you circling the important words in the questions? V enture or read through the passage. E liminate incorrect and/or ridiculous answers. L et the questions be answered. 1. The word recession used in paragraph one most likely means: a. growth b. slump or downturn c. vacation d. requirement 2. According to the article, students in personal finance classes learn all except the following: a. spending and saving money b. aspects of buying a home c. balancing a budget d. preparing a meal 3. The reader can infer that Geithner believes that personal finance classes _________. a. will prepare students for the world outside of the classroom b. are of no value c. should be only taught in middle school d. will enable students to never make a poor choice in investing

UNRAAVEL APHS Literacy Team