This course is designed to teach 9th through 12th grade students how individual choices directly influence occupational goals, future earning potential, and long-term financial well-being.
Duration: 60-70 hours (semester)
Grades: 9th-12th
Level: Beginner
About this course
This course covers decision-making skills related to goal setting, producing income, budgeting, spending, saving, tracking finances, borrowing, managing risk, and investing. It also emphasizes the importance of understanding value, managing resources, and making informed decisions about health, relationships, and overall well-being and how these decisions can greatly impact personal and global finances. The curriculum helps students meet the growing complexities of personal financial management and consumer decision-making, ensuring they are prepared to navigate the financial aspects of their present and future with confidence and competence.
Students will:
Analyze the core principles of personal finance, including income generation, spending, saving, and investing, to understand their impact on long-term financial well-being and life stages.
Evaluate various financial tools and strategies for effective money management, including budgeting, tracking money, use of credit, and debt management, ensuring informed decision-making in consumer and investment scenarios.
Construct simple, but comprehensive financial plans that incorporate risk management through insurance and other means, emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations and sustainability in financial decisions.
Synthesize knowledge of the economic factors and market trends that influence career planning and income potential, fostering an ability to adapt to changing economic environments.
Critically assess the interplay between personal financial decisions and broader economic and societal issues, including the role of taxes, civic duties, and the impact of technological advancements like AI on personal finance.
Develop communication skills to effectively discuss financial matters, advocate for consumer rights, and engage in civic activities that influence financial policies.
How this course is structured
The course is divided into 6 units, each consisting of several lessons. Each lesson consists of steps. Each step consists of an instructional video as well as a practice activity for the student. Each step is designed to take no longer than 8-10 minutes to complete and each lesson is designed to take no more than 60 minutes to complete.
Additionally, there are projects after some units, which allow students to build an application tying together concepts they have learned so far.
Course Syllabus
Unit 1: Introduction to Personal Finance
Lesson 1: Understanding Value and the History of Money
Lesson 2: Inflation and the Time Value of Money
Lesson 3: Defining Personal Finance: Beyond Managing Money
Lesson 4: Creating and Consuming Value
Lesson 5: The Impact of Social Media on Consumption
Lesson 6: Financial Decision-Making and Goal Setting
Unit 2: Education, Careers, and Income
Lesson 1: Career Aptitude and Interest Surveys
Lesson 2: Formal vs. Informal Education: Investing in Yourself
Lesson 3: Education and Training Pathways
Lesson 4: Financing Postsecondary Education: FAFSA and Beyond
Lesson 5: The Impact of Student Loans on Financial Stability
Lesson 6: Payroll Taxes and Tax Filing Basics
Unit 3: Planning and Money Management
Lesson 1: Budgeting and Accounting
Lesson 2: Financial Ratios and Tracking Money
Lesson 3: Financial Institutions and Services
Lesson 4: Advanced Tax Strategies
Lesson 5: Talking About Money with Others
Unit 4: Credit and Debt Management
Lesson 1: Understanding Credit and Debt
Lesson 2: Credit Card Basics
Lesson 3: Credit Reports and Scores
Lesson 4: Making Informed Borrowing Decisions
Lesson 5: Buying a Home vs. Renting: Making the Right Choice
Lesson 6: Debt Management and Repayment Strategies
Unit 5: Risk Management and Insurance
Lesson 1: The Role and Types of Insurance in Financial Planning
Lesson 2: Assessing Personal Risk Levels and Creating a Risk Management Plan
Lesson 3: Health, Relationships, and Financial Risk
Lesson 4: Identity Theft: Prevention and Recovery
Lesson 5: Mitigating Other Financial Risks
Lesson 6: Identifying Marketing Strategies
Unit 6: Saving and Investing
Lesson 1: Advanced Compound Interest and Future Value Calculations
Lesson 2: Key Players in Economic Growth and Investment
Lesson 3: Investment Securities, Vehicles, and Strategies
Lesson 4: Practical Cash Management Strategies
Lesson 5: Creating a Diversified Investment Plan
Lesson 6: Retirement, Social Security, and Estate Planning
