Stock market proves to be important learning tool

While the stock market can be a headache for investors, it is a valuable asset in the classroom.

Two fifth-grade teachers at Pioneer Peak Elementary -- Terry Slaven and Marcia Barrett -- recently had students excel in the stock market simulation game. Students had to research stocks and buy and sell them for 10 weeks, trying to build the strongest portfolio possible.

The game forces students to use a wide range of skills, Slaven said.

"They obviously have to use math a lot, but there are a lot of computer and research skills they have to use," Slaven said. "It really takes a lot of problem-solving and teamwork. As it turned out, we had some pretty good forecasters."

Slaven said she told the class to start with things they know and work from there. As a result, a lot of students bought shares in Nike, Sketchers, McDonald's and other familiar companies.

"Buying those kinds of stocks is a good way to get the ball rolling because the students recognize the names and the products and it makes it more real to them," Slaven said.

Paying attention to current events also helps out. When PayPal merged with EBay, some students -- including the second-place trio from Pioneer Peak -- bought stock in EBay, and their portfolios improved as a result.

While the stock market game was a lesson, it was a fun one the students really got behind, Slaven said.

"We started out by doing it in computer lab once a week, and by the end of the game, the students wanted to check their stocks every morning before school," Slaven said.