Before Reading

Tell students that they will be reading a book about four children and how they earn money by doing different chores—some of them extraordinary. As a warm-up activity, ask them to think about things they have done or might want to do to earn money. Make a diagram and ask students to name different money-earning jobs. Possible answers include car washing, dog walking, lawn mowing, and babysitting. You might wish to expand this activity by asking: “How much do you earn from each of these jobs?”

Tell students that some of the things they have listed may be found in the story.

Distribute copies of the book, and call attention to the title and cover illustration. Tell students that the author is David Schwartz and that the illustrator, the artist who drew the pictures, is Steven Kellogg. Ask them to identify who is giving the money and who is earning it in the illustration.

Ask students what kinds of work the children may perform to earn money, based on the tools they are holding. Then read the book title aloud. Have students think of words to describe how much a million dollars is. Then ask what they think the children on the cover could do to earn a million dollars.