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Economis Mini-Lessons:
Grades 9-12
- Choices and Opportunity Costs Grades 5-8
Although the lesson is probably better geared to middle rather than high school students, it covers some foundational concepts that are important for the older teens to have in order for them to learn the rest of the curriculum well. It teaches the fundamental principles of economics (e.g., We all make choices; Choices have consequences; Unlimited human wants/needs and limited resources produces the problem of scarcity)> This lesson can be done with or without Internet-connected computers.
 Banking Basics Lesson Grades 9-12
Similar to the middle school lesson, this lesson teaches the basics on savings and checking accounts. However, it also includes a section on how to write a check. While the lesson can be done without Internet access, the latter part of it does involve students logging into their Economis accounts. Instructors will either need to have a computer lab for the whole class to use or plan to have small groups of students take turns using the available computers (in this scenario the lesson will take longer, so budget your time accordingly).
- Making Cents of Your Life Lesson Grades 5-12
This is a good general overview lesson on time and money management. It also briefly covers topics including job-searching, saving, spending, and taxes. This lesson does not require computers/Internet. (Note: You may wish to teach the optional lesson, "Budgeting 1: Grades 5-8" prior to this lesson in order to ground your instruction on budgeting upon a solid Biblical foundation.)
- Living On Your Own 1
This lesson begins with
students playing Jumpstart’s “Reality Check” game, which helps students
gain a realistic understanding of the costs of independent living. The
lesson then provides instruction on building budgets, defines some new
terms such as security deposit, and gets teens thinking about all the
expenses that are associated with moving into their own apartment.
This lesson requires computers/Internet for the opening activity, but after that can be done offline. (NOTE to instructors lacking a computer lab: You should go online yourself before the lesson and play the Reality Check Game, then come up with a similar, non-Internet based opening activity.)
- Living
On Your Own 2
This
lesson teaches teens the basics of landlord-tenant law, helping them
prepare for independent living by understanding their rights and
responsibilities as tenants. (NOTE: this lesson requires that
teacher/instructor have a computer, Power Point, and an LCD projector.
Students do not need to be online.)
- Job Prep Lesson
This lesson introduces teens to the key
skills/character traits employers are looking for. It also shows them
how to investigate job prospects and how to compare employee benefit
plans. This lesson requires computers/Internet.
- All About Investing: Part
One
This
lesson covers the ABCs of the stock market, looking at concepts of
risk, reward, and liquidity. It does not require computers/Internet.
- All About
Investing: Part Two
This lesson builds on the previous one, reinforcing concepts from that lesson and then teaching students how to read the stock pages of a newspaper and introducing them to the concepts of capital gains and dividends. The material in this lesson is fairly sophisticated, but the lesson is made fun by the use of the Loss or Gain? Game (which in one version can involve water balloon tossing.) At the end of the lesson, students are encouraged to log into their Economis accounts online to begin building ther own stock portfolios.
Optional Lessons
If you plan to engage your high school students in Economis' credit card module, you should definately teach the Comparing Credit Cards Lesson:
- Comparing Credit Cards Lesson
This lesson will help teens
understanding the basics of credit cards as well as their pros and
cons. They will learn how to analyze credit card offers in order to
make wise decisions and how to identify all the fees associated with a
credit card. This can be done with or without computers and Internet access.
- Avoiding Credit Blunders
This
lesson teaches students about common credit card fees and offers practical tips for using credit responsibly and avoiding credit blunders.
- What You Learn is What You Earn
This is a great lesson to help students understand the concept of human capital and its importance in the workplace. It is a good lesson to teach after the mandatory job-prep lesson to reinforce those concepts.
High school students will also enjoy the Buying a Used Car Lesson:
Buying a Used Car Lesson: Centered around a skit that a small group of teens will perform for the rest of the class, this lesson covers all the basics of car shopping, financing, and the test drive. It does not require computers/Internet, although if computers are available the students could complete the optional closing activity.
Another good lesson - to do just after the Job Prep Lesson (What You Learn is What You Earn) - is the College Prep Lesson:
- College
Prep
In this
lesson, students will learn about the benefits of higher education (in
terms of earning potential) but also about the significant costs of
college. They will gain understanding of different college options
(e.g., private schools versus state universities) as well as of options
for financial aid. This lesson requires computers/Internet.
For your oldest students, you may want to teach the Insurance Lesson:
- Insurance Lesson
This hands-on lesson covers the different types of risks students should be aware of as teenagers and what risks they will need to prepare for as they become adults. It teaches them the basics of the different types of insurance and how to determine which risk management products are appropriate in different situations. The lesson can be done with or without computers/Internet access.
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