The Balance Sheet
Distinguish between wealth-building assets and depreciating assets.
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Curriculum Units
Building Wealth
OVERVIEW
In this curriculum, students learn about setting financial goals, budgeting, saving and investing, building credit and managing debt, and protecting wealth with basic insurance. For supplemental resources, visit the Building Wealth website.
Grade Level
Lesson 1: The Balance Sheet
Using a variety of activities, students distinguish between wealth-building assets and depreciating assets. They use a balance sheet to calculate and visualize how wealth is created.
Lesson 2: Developing a Budget
In this lesson, students distinguish between needs and wants, and practice marginal decision-making.
Lesson 3: Put It in the Bank
In this lesson, students will compare two savings plans: stuffing a mattress with money and using a bank.
Lesson 4: Owning Versus Renting
Students review the responsibilities and risk of renting, and how owning a house impacts a person's net worth.
Lesson 5: The Role of Financial Markets
In this lesson, students will learn how the financial system creates a place to match savers with investors and the role financial institutions play in facilitating savings and investment transactions.
Lesson 6: Bonds, Stocks and Mutal Funds
In this lesson, students will learn about the different types of investments including bonds, stocks and mutual funds. Using handouts, students will research stocks and bonds.
Lesson 7: Risk and Return
Students are introduced to the the concept of financial risk and explore different traits that impact the amount of risk an investor might be willing to take. Students work to analyze case studies and identify the risk factors.
Lesson 8: Understanding Credit Reports & Scores
In this lesson, students learn the components of a credit score, and see how lendors, landlords, and employers might use a person's credit report to determine their creditworthiness.
Lesson 9: The Cost of Credit
Students begin this lesson exploring the connection between credit and debt. After examining types of credit, peer-to-peer lending and high-cost credit, students analyze credit scenarios and determine which they would choose and why.
More in This Series
LESSONS & ACTIVITIES
1 HOUR+
LESSONS & ACTIVITIES
1 HOUR+
Developing a Budget
Practice using SMART goals and marginal decision making.
LESSONS & ACTIVITIES
1 HOUR+
Put It in the Bank
Compare different ways of saving money.
LESSONS & ACTIVITIES
1 HOUR+
Owning Versus Renting
Students will compare owning to renting a place to live.
LESSONS & ACTIVITIES
1 HOUR+
The Role of Financial Markets
Learn how the financial system creates a place to match savers with investors.
LESSONS & ACTIVITIES
1 HOUR+
Bonds, Stocks and Mutual Funds
Learn about the different types of investments.
LESSONS & ACTIVITIES
1 HOUR+
Risk and Return
Understand the relationship between risk and return.
LESSONS & ACTIVITIES
1 HOUR+
Understanding Credit Reports & Scores
Understand the components of a credit score.
LESSONS & ACTIVITIES
31-45 MIN
The Cost of Credit
Explore the connection between credit and debt.
