Yes, we know that the school year just ended and most of you are planning which beach novel you are going to read this summer. But why not go ahead and get a jump on the next school year? Here are some ways that the brass|TEACHER RESOURCE CENTER can help:

• You've heard "there's an app for that," right? Well at brass, there's a lesson plan for that. brass lesson plans and questioning strategies cover a wide range of money and real world subjects. There is something there for every class. Plus, registering for the TRC gives you access to all past issues of the magazine. Click here to begin your search.
• Did you know that brass is also a great stand-alone resource? Keep copies in your classroom for independent reading or send one down to the library.
• Did your students love a particular lesson you did this year? Click here to share it with your colleagues across the country.

Registration is easy - click here!

Articles and resources for the summer issue of of brass are now available.

Teachers in sponsored states receive the full benefits of the Student Program, including all TRC resources and direct delivery of brass|MAGAZINE to their schools.

If you are not in a sponsored state, your registration for the TRC allows you access to free resources now and also expresses your interest in receiving the full benefits of the program as a sponsored state.

Students in Donna Shepardson's entrepreneurship class were asked recently to create a project highlighting successful women in business. Among the business women they chose were former brass cover subjects Meg and Dia and Sumaya Kazi.

Donna, a teacher at Columbia High School in East Greenbush, NY was kind enough to share photos of her students' work. Many thanks to Donna and the entrepreneurship class at Columbia for showing how they use brass in class!

If you would like to send photos of how your class is using brass, please contact us at studentprogram@brassmedia.com.

The brass|STUDENT PROGRAM is packing its bags and heading to Chicago this week for the annual meeting of the National Business Education Association.

Laura Edmonston, the Student Program Director of Education will be exhibiting at the conference from April 8th through the 10th.

Stop by Booth 603, talk with Laura and pick up a copy of brass. Plus, teachers can register for the brass|TEACHER RESOURCE CENTER on site. Teachers who register will receive access to free resources and will be entered into a daily drawing for some great prizes.

Hope to see you there!

Does this scenario sound familiar? Your son or daughter is saving to buy that new bike or video game. They notice that the neighbors are all mowing their lawns, it's hot outside and people look thirsty. Your young entrepreneur sees an opportunity and approaches you about setting up a lemonade stand.

Great idea! Time to make a check list of what you will need for this operation:

Cups, pitcher, table...check.

Lemons...check.

Water and sugar...check.

Sign and pricing guide...check.

Business permit...huh?

Yes, you heard that correctly. Certain cities and states require business permits for even the smallest of business ventures. However, the Oregon legislature is taking steps to help ease this requirement, stating that it discourages entrepreneurship.

If your city has this requirement on the books, it may not only have implications on the neighborhood lemonade stand but also on things such as school fundraisers. A permit to sell chocolate bars? Maybe.

brass is tracking a major bi-partisan initiative that was introduced earlier this week. The Financial and Economic Literacy Improvement Act is sponsored by Senators Murray (D-Washington); Cochran (R-Mississippi) and Representative McCarthy (D-New York).

The goal of the bill is to provide $250 million in grants to states for the purpose of teaching financial literacy in elementary, secondary and post-secondary schools. Money would also be made available for adult education.

The bill was introduced in the Senate, with a similar bill soon to be introduced in the House.

Read a summary or the full text of the bill here.

Cincinnatus (NY) High School teacher Nicole Rice recently offered to take copies of brass to the Technology and Learning Celebration that was held in New York City earlier this month. Nicole was able to personally meet with and give magazines to three very familiar faces in the education world: Randi Weingarten (President, American Federation of Teachers); Dennis Van Roekel (President, National Education Association); and Charles “Chuck” Saylors (President, National Parent Teacher Association). We would like to give a huge thank you to Nicole as well as all of the enthusiastic educators and supporters who regularly offer to help get the word out about brass and the Student Program.

If you are interested in learning more about how to spread the word in your area, please contact Laura Edmonston at lauraedmonston@brassmedia.com.

Nicole Rice and Charles “Chuck” Saylors (President, National Parent Teacher Association)

Henry David Thoreau once said that "a man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone." A number of high school students in Illinois are putting that thought into action by agreeing to give up one thing each month. It started with sugar and fast food and evolved to anything that would end up in a landfill. This month, the challenge is to give up cell phones and texting - which for many is a lifeline.

This is all part of the Volunteer Simplicity Project, developed by Mundelein High School teacher Nathen Cantu. Cantu asserts that not only are students learning a lot about themselves during this process but are also discovering a new sense of pride in being able to give up prized possessions and habits.

With more and more focus on the economy and instilling responsible financial habits, experts are on board with Cantu's idea.

Read the full story here.