Finance, Money, Investing and Economics Middle School-Adulting 101 Life Skills!

Financial choice and Consequences - All in one package!!! Finances , earning, saving, investing while navigating through adult life scenarios in this interactive course.  Financial literacy is the ability to understand how to manage and invest money. 

In this ongoing class students participate is an interactive online virtual bank and investment simulation program that will immerse them in all things related to money. This Financial Literacy class creates an immersive experience for students to learn everything related to personal finance like savings, budgeting, paying bills, earning an income, investing and more. Students learn to navigate the ins and outs of personal finance and experience real world financial situations in a safe space, a classroom. 
Students experience real world money situations and navigate the ins and outs of everything related to personal finance like saving, budgeting, paying bills, earning income, investing and more. We live in a complicated financial system that is full of financial opportunity as well as financial traps, scams, and daily temptations to spend money. 

Students will experience actual financial situations with hands-on activities to learn how to manage virtual checking, savings and credit card accounts, invest, pay bills on time and spend wisely. Most adults, including myself, wish they had learned about managing their money in school and this program aims to do that. I'm so excited to add this interactive transformational tool to the classroom and have us all reap the benefits of a more financially literate future for our students.

FINANCIAL LITERACY UNITS
Unit 1:   Unit Introduction - Budgeting, Saving, and Spending
Unit 2:  Introduction to Investing
Unit 3:  Credit Cards and Debt
Unit 4:  Employment and Income
Unit 5:  Financial Risks and Insurance
Supplement Topic:  Starting your Own Business
Supplement Topic:  Bankrutpcy 

C L A S S  S T R U C T U R E
Welcome to Class (5 minutes)
Weekly Financial Report (5 minutes)
Weekly Class Topic (20minutes)
Financial Lab Simulation (15 minutes)


🌟S T A R T I N G     S E P T E M B E R  2 0 2 4🌟

🚩 2024 - 2025  F U L L  Y E A R  C O U R S E  T O P I C S   S C H E D U L E 🚩
Topics rotate but students may join at anytime. 

G E T T I N G   S T A R T E D (New enrolled students should complete these assignments in the simulation) 
Topic 1:  Introduction of Budget Simulation - Budget Game Actions
📝Assignment: Watch Video - Budget Game Overview
📝Assignment: Watch Video - Credit Score Tutorial
📝Assignment: Watch Video - Net Worth
📝Assignment: Watch Video - Quality of Life
📝Assignment: Watch Video - Savings Goals
📝Assignment: Watch Video - Your Weekend Choice
📝Assignment: Budget Game - Study
📝Assignment: Budget Game - Transfer Money
📝Assignment: Budget Game - Earn More Money
📝Assignment: Budget Game - Household
📝Assignment: Budget Game - Socialize
📝Assignment: Budget Game - Credit Card Purchase
📝Assignment: Budget Game - Credit Card Payment
📝Assignment: Budget Game - Complete a Full Month

Week of December 15: Budget Adjustments
Week of December 22: Tracking Expenses & Emergency Funds
Week of December 29: Financial Literacy Game Day

SCHEDULE STARTING - 2025 JANUARY

U N I T  2:  I N V E S T I N G
Week of January 5: Introduction to Investing and Understanding Financial Risks
Week of January 12: Financial Planning, Investment Goals, and Investing Overview
Week of January 19: How the Stock Market Works, Introduction to Stocks, and Understanding Stock Quotes
Week of January 26: Financial Literacy Game Day
Week of February 2: Stock Market Terms, Stock Market Games, and Researching Stocks
Week of February 9: Company Research, Financial News, and Using Financial Reports
Week of February 16: Evaluating Investment Strategies, Types of Securities, and Mutual Funds
Week of February 23: Financial Literacy Game Day
Week of March 1: Bonds, ETFs, and Real Estate Investments
Week of March 8: Managing a Portfolio, Diversification, and Risk Management
Week of March 15: Portfolio Review, Investment Tools, and Business Cycle
Week of March 22: Economic Indicators, Impact on Investments, and Market Trends
Week of March 29: Financial Literacy Game Day

UNIT 3:  CREDIT CARDS AND DEBT
Week of April 1: Introduction to Credit, Credit Cards vs. Debit Cards, and Credit Reports
Week of April 8: Credit Scores, Building Credit, and Buying a Car
Week of April 15: Car Loans, Loan Terms, and Comparing Car Prices
Week of April 22: Budgeting for a Car, Types of Loans, and Loan Application Process
Week of April 29: Financial Literacy Game Day
Week of May 6: Interest Rates, Repayment Plans, and Loan Management
Week of May 13: Using Credit Cards, Credit Card Fees, and Credit Card Rewards
Week of May 20: Credit Report Monitoring, Managing Debt, and Debt Consolidation
Week of May 27: Financial Literacy Game Day

UNIT 4:  EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME
Week of June 3: Career Planning and Income Types
Week of June 10: Employment Rights and Job Opportunities
Week of June 17: Earning Money and Using a Bank
Week of June 24: Financial Literacy Game Day
Week of July 1: Opening a Savings Account and Understanding Bank Fees
Week of July 8: Bank Statements and Online Banking
Week of July 15: Introduction to Taxes and Income Tax
Week of July 22: Tax Deductions and Filing Taxes
Week of July 29: Financial Literacy Game Day

UNIT 5: FINANCIAL RISKS AND INSURANCE
Week of August 5: Introduction to Insurance, Health Insurance, and Life Insurance
Week of August 12: Property Insurance, Insurance Terms, and Liability Insurance
Week of August 19: Auto Insurance, Homeowners Insurance, and Renters Insurance
Week of August 26: Financial Literacy Game Day
Week of September 2: Insurance Claims, Health Insurance Plans, and Life Insurance Policies
Week of September 9: Disability Insurance, Long-Term Care Insurance, and Beneficiaries
Week of September 16: Financial Decision Making, Avoiding Scams, and Financial Ethics
Week of September 23: Protecting Personal Information, Financial Safety Nets, and Financial Records
Week of September 30: Financial Literacy Game Day


UNIT 1- BUDGETING AND SPENDING PLANS
Week of October 7: Introduction to Budgeting, Budgeting Basics, and Setting Financial Goals
Week of October 14: Personal Finance Apps, Creating a Simple Budget, and Understanding Money
Week of October 21: Understanding Coins and Bills, Income Sources, and Financial Vocabulary
Week of October 28: Personal Finance Lab Budget Game
Week of November 4: Basic Math Skills for Finance, Saving Money, and Spending Wisely
Week of November 11: Needs vs. Wants, Spending Plans, and Savings Goals
Week of November 18: Maintaining a Budget, Budget Adjustments, and Tracking Expenses
Week of November 25: Financial Literacy Game Day
Week of December 2: Emergency Funds, Responsible Spending, and Researching Purchases
Week of December 9: Price Comparisons, Shopping Wisely, and Understanding Discounts
Week of December 16: Long-Term Savings, Simple Interest, and Future Planning
Week of December 23: Financial Literacy Game Day

U N I T  C O U R S E  D E S C R I P I T I O N 

UNIT 1:   Budgeting and Spending Plans
In this lesson we will be learning about both budgets and spending plans.  
We will be able to tell what the different parts of each are and when to use either.  
We will be looking at other peoples’ budgets and saving plans to evaluate how to create one.  
We will leave with the tools and the skills to create our own personal budget and spending plan.

By the end of the unit, students should be able to...
• Define budget and spending plan
• Identify parts of a budget and spending plan
• Create a personal and family budget
• Allocate funds into different sub categories

UNIT 2:  Investing
In this lesson we will be learning about the basics of investing. 
We will learn about different types of investments such as stocks, mutual funds and bonds.  
We will assess the different risks that come with each type of investment and determine when it is a good idea to invest.  
We will learn the importance of researching companies and investing based on what we know. 
We will learn how to identify our financial goals and how to create an investment portfolio that works toward them.

Students will progress through Assignments and Assessments as part of the PersonalFinanceLab curriculum library,  and begin building their portfolio in the PersonalFinanceLab Stock Game. Students will continue to progress through the PersonalFinanceLab Budgeting Game.

By the end of the lesson, students will:
● Understand the basics of how to grow their wealth
● Identify various scams
● Understand the importance of not falling victim to a scam
● Protect themselves from financial scams


UNIT 3:  Credit Cards and Debt
In this lesson we will learn about the basics of what a credit card is and the different responsibilities that come with owning a credit card. 
We will learn about what both a credit report and credit score are and the impact they have on someone's finances.  
We will be able to define key terms such as credit score and credit report. 
We will be able to determine different events that either improve or harm someone's credit. 
We will understand the purpose of a credit card and the responsibilities that come with owning a credit card.

By the end of the lesson, students will:
● Define key terms such as credit score and credit report.
● Determine different events that either improve or harm someone's credit.
● Understand the purpose of a credit card.
● Understand the responsibilities that come with owning a credit card.
● Be able to implicitly and explicitly think about situations that will either improve
or harm their credit and explain why.


UNIT 4:  Employment and Income
In this lesson we will be learning about both income, compensation and employment.  
We will learn about the difference between direct and indirect compensation. 
We will have a basic understanding of income tax and the different ways of filing their taxes. 
We will learn some best practices for starting their career. 
We will learn about the importance of saving for retirement.


By the end of the lesson, students will:
● Define different types of income
● Understand consumer and employment rights and responsibilities
● Understand debit cards and bank accounts
● Have a basic understanding of income tax
● Know how to develop a career plan that supports their long-term financial goals


UNIT  5:  Financial Risks and Insurance
In this lesson we will be learning about financial decision making. 
● We will learn how to protect ourselves against fraud and financial scams. 
● We will learn the importance of mitigating financial  risks. 
● We will be able to identify common types of risks and basic risk management methods. 
● We will learn the basics of insurance. 


By the end of the lesson, students will:
● Understand the concept of opportunity cost when making financial decisions
● Understand the financial risks of investing their money
● Understand the importance of insurance to mitigate risk


Bankruptcy
If you are severely behind on your bills and all other debt management plans have failed, the last option available is declaring bankruptcy.

Starting a Business
Building the next “big thing”. Being your own boss. Getting the full rewards for your work. There are a lot of reasons to start a business, but taking the plunge is a step entrepreneurs have to face if they plan on striking out on their own

NOTE TO PARENTS:  This is an interactive classroom, with guidance from teacher.  Students will have the opportunity to interact, socialize while learning to becoming financial responsible with their choices.  
Topic schedule is subject to change, awaiting Outschool's update lesson plan to the platform. 

Students will each start the simulation as a part-time employee, goiong to college full-time.  Then the students will have to pay bills, like adults do in real life. With your left over money, you can purchase experiences or items.  This class is highly interactive simulating real life as adults making financial decisions.  Students will learn they are free to choose what to with the money they earn but not free from the consequences of their choice, whether it is positive or negative result.


How is your class structured?
My class is structure to be a stress free, fun, and interactive learning environment to accommodate different learning styles and abilities.  

How will you teach?
I will teach using slide presentation, interactive games and discussion for question and answer sessions. This is a student led hands on interactive class.  

What's your teaching style?
I believe that every child learns differently.  I do my best to accommodate individual learning styles.  

How much will learners get to interact with you and each other (mention specifics like: lecture, games, slides, video clips, discussion)? This class is highly interactive simulating real life as adults making financial decisions.  Students will learn they are free to choose what to with the money they earn but not free from the consequences of their choice, whether it is positive or negative result.  I  teach with lecture format, visual aids and hands on activity. I will be available for questions and feedback through the classroom and direct messages.

Any required experience or knowledge learners need? 
No prior knowledge is needed. 

Notice: Educational Content Only

This course is crafted purely for learning purposes and is not a source of financial, investment, tax, or legal guidance. Through lessons and a stock market simulation program, the instructor aims to teach students about market dynamics, investment concepts, and economic theories. No advice is given on specific investments or financial actions.

Participation in the stock market simulation or any real-world trading with actual money is entirely the choice of students and their guardians. Success is not promised, and all financial activities carry inherent risks. Students are encouraged to investigate thoroughly and consult a certified financial advisor before pursuing any real investment opportunities.

By joining this course, you recognize that the instructor and course organizers are not accountable for any financial consequences arising from decisions you make based on the educational material or simulation experience.