The purpose of this course is to introduce the students to the basics of finance and investing and how to apply that knowledge to real world situations. They will learn of the different elements that make up personal finance, how to goal-set to achieve financial responsibility and how different financial decisions can impact their lives. They will learn about major life events and the financial decisions that encompass them, such as attending college, purchasing a car, purchasing a home and saving for retirement. Additionally, they will learn about investment options available, the importance of investing to compensate for inflation and the benefits from compound interest. Throughout the course, students will utilize the knowledge they obtained through classroom instruction and relate it to real world situations they will encounter.
Unit | Timeframe | Big Ideas (Statements or Essential Questions) and Major Learning Experiences from Unit |
|---|---|---|
Personal Finance | September | “What does it mean to be financially responsible?”
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Financial Planning | September | “What are my financial goals and how can I achieve them?” |
Budgeting & Cash Flow | October | “How much will I take home from my paycheck?” |
Credit | October | “How can I use credit wisely?” “What does it mean to be creditworthy?” |
Banking | October | “How do I Choose a financial institution that is right for me?” |
Debt & Financial Pitfalls | November | “How can I stay out of debt?” |
Identity Theft | November | “How can I protect myself and my identity?” |
Purchasing a Car | November | “What are the costs of owning a vehicle?” |
College | December | “Is college worth the expense? What financial factors do I need to consider in deciding what the right choice is for me?” |
Purchasing a Home | January | “What do I need to know about buying a home?” |
Investing | February - May | “How do investing and the stock market work?” |
Retirement Planning | June | “How can I use the tools available to reach my financial goals?” |