Practical Consumer Math

Consumer Math (Grades 9-12)
Course Overview:

Consumer Math is a hands-on course that teaches students the essential math skills needed to manage their personal finances in the real world. Throughout the class, students will tackle practical topics such as budgeting, saving, investing, taxes, credit, loans, and insurance—all through interactive lessons and real-life examples. This course is designed to make math meaningful and relevant, helping students make informed financial decisions and prepare for the financial responsibilities of adulthood.

In each class, students will engage with a mix of teacher-led instruction, group discussions, in-class activities, and polls. They will practice solving real-world math problems, complete practice sheets in class, and review key concepts together to reinforce learning.

Key Topics Covered:

Budgeting & Money Management: Learn how to create and manage personal budgets, track income and expenses, and explore strategies for saving money.

Banking & Credit: Understand how checking and savings accounts work, how credit scores are calculated, and how to use credit responsibly.

Loans & Interest: Dive into the math of loans, interest rates, and monthly payments, and understand the long-term impact of borrowing money.

Taxes & Deductions: Get a clear picture of how taxes work, from understanding income taxes and payroll deductions to filing tax forms and managing your finances after taxes.

Investing: An introduction to the basics of investing, including stocks, bonds, and retirement savings plans like 401(k)s and IRAs.

Insurance & Risk Management: Learn how different types of insurance (health, auto, home, life) work and why they are essential for managing financial risk.

Consumer Decisions & Comparisons: Gain skills for comparing costs, evaluating interest rates, and making smart financial choices when shopping or considering loans.

Skills Developed:

Apply math concepts to real-life financial decisions.
Develop a deeper understanding of how personal finances impact everyday life.
Build the confidence to make informed financial decisions as you transition into adulthood.
Learn practical skills for budgeting, saving, investing, and managing debt.
Course Format:

This course blends direct instruction, interactive activities, and real-world simulations to give students a solid foundation in consumer math. Alongside lessons and discussions, students will work through practice problems in class and complete a review sheet to reinforce their learning. Assessments will include quizzes, that focus on applying what they’ve learned to real-life situations.