Middle School Resources
Welcome to the Middle School Resource Portal! We are always adding new resources, so make sure to check back often. If you have any questions or would like additional help implementing the standards, please contact us here.
Curriculum
Our Middle School curriculum ties the Financial Literacy and Inquiry learning standards together so that students are challenged to think critically about the world around them. By the end of the lessons, students should be able understand the stock market, how to craft a budget, interest, risk, insurance, how to bank online safely, and much more. Students explore these concepts in a variety of investigative strategies, including hands on activities, writing, and nonfiction reading.
You can download the entire curriculum by clicking the Download Curriculum PDF link below, or you can download individual activities within each lesson section.
Supporting Question #1
- Courtney’s First Job
- Data Chart- Movie Ticket Prices
- Data Chart- Federal Minimum Wage Rates
- Reading for Information-Rising Costs
- Comparing Wages and Movie Prices
- Writing Prompt
Supporting Question #2
- Reading for Information-Minimum Wage Article
- Data Chart- Illinois Minimum Wage Rate
- Minimum Wage Poster Activity
- Comparing Prices Activity
Supporting Question #3
- Reading for Information- What Do Banks Do?
- Reading for Information- Things to Think About When Online Banking
- Investigation Activity- Staying Safe Online
- How Banks Work Activity (Students)
- How Banks Work Activity Teacher Instructions
Lesson Two Lesson Plan
Supporting Question #1
- Folded Cup Activity
- Folded Cup Activity Teacher Instructions
- Diagram- Knowledge & Experience
- Human Capital Elements
- Occupations and Human Capital
- Aspirations Activity
Supporting Question #2
- Reading for Information-Standard of Living vs. Quality of Life
- Career Investigation
- Wage & Employment Graphs
- Public Service Announcement
- Writing Prompt
Supporting Question #3
- Case Study- Investment in Human Capital
- Graph- Incarceration Rates & Education Graph
- Independent Research & Debate Activity
- Headline Activity
- Picture Notes Activity
- Writing Prompt-Investing in Yourself
Lesson Three Lesson Plan
Supporting Question #1
- Reading for Information- What is Interest?
- Reading for Information- Here’s how the Fed raises interest rates and why it matters
- Interest Rates Investigation
- Calculating Simple Interest
- Compound Interest Activity
- The Rule of 72
- Poem Activity
Supporting Question #2
- Reading for Information- Investment Buzz Words
- Reading for Information- Treasurer Frerichs’ Shareholder Activity
- Stocks Around the World
- Publicly Traded Companies
- Shareholder Activity
- Shareholder Voting
- Stock Symbols
- Stock Symbols Answer Key
- Buzz Word Bonanza Activity
- Dividends Activity
Supporting Question #3
- Reading for Information- Risk and Rewards of Investing
- Risk and Rewards Investigation
- Asset Allocation Game- Students
- Asset Allocation Game Teacher Instructions
- Writing Prompt
Lesson Four Lesson Plan
Supporting Question #1
- Reading for Information- Insurance
- Investigation Activity- Car Insurance for Teens
- Research & Persuasion
- Risky Behaviors
- Insurance Game
- Insurance Game Teacher Instructions
- Writing Prompt
Supporting Question #2
- Reading for Information- Protect Your Identity
- Reading for Information- Consumer Privacy
- Investigation- Security Breaches
- Junk Mail Investigation
- Write a Letter
Supporting Question #3
- Reading for Information- Future Education Expenses
- Investigation Activity- 529 Plans
- Reading for Information- No More Work
- Fast Fact Sheet- How much have Americans saved for retirement?
- Fast Fact Sheet- What does the Federal Reserve Tell Us About How Well Americans Save and Prepare for Retirement?
- Infographic- What Do We Know Abou Millennials and Retirement?
- Advertisement Assignment
- Retirement Cartoon
- Interview
Lesson Five Lesson Plan
Supporting Question #1
- Reading for Information- What is a Budget?
- Question- Spend or Not Spend?
- Cash Flow Activity
- Budget Game
- Budget Game Teacher Instructions
Supporting Question #2
- Reading for Information- What’s Expendable?
- Survey Activity- What’s Expendable?
- Reading for Information- Impulse Buying
- Investigation Activity- Changing Trends of Teen Spending
- Investigation Activity- Wise Shopper
- Wants and Needs Activity
- Scenarios of Wants and Needs
- Living Within Your Means
- PACED Decision- Making Method
Supporting Question #3
- Reading for Information- Taxes
- Investigation Activity- Local Budget and Taxes
- Budgeting for Teens Activity
- Reading for Information- 50/20/30
- Determining a Town’s Budget
- Calculating a Budget Activity
- 50/20/30 Budget Worksheet
- Writing Prompt on Taxes
- How Taxes Impact Spending
- Tax Calculations
Lesson Six Lesson Plan
Supporting Question #1
- Reading for Information- What is Credit?
- Reading for Information- How is a Credit Score Calculated?
- Reading for Information- Good Debt vs. Bad Debt
- Investigation Activity- US Credit Scores
- Investigation Activity- What are good credit habits?
- How Does a Credit Card Work?
- Who Will You Lend To?
- Who Will You Lend To? Teacher Instructions
- What Do You Think?
- Writing Prompt
Supporting Question #2
- Reading for Information- History of Credit Cards
- Investigation Activity- Credit Card Holders’ Bill of Rights
- Investigation Activity- Credit Card Comparisons
- Skit- Good Credit Card Habits
- Shopper Comparisons
- Managing Debt
Supporting Question #3
- Reading for Information- Impact of a Bad Credit Report
- Investigation Activity- Fixing Credit Scores
- Are They a Good or Bad Credit Risk?
- The Cost of Bad Credit
Stock Market Game
This unique game is used by thousands of students nationwide each year. Students participate in teams to research and evaluate stocks, bonds, and mutual funds to make informed, economic decisions. Competitions are held each Fall and Spring. There are also connections to Common Core with the extension program, InvestWrite. For Stock Market Game participants, InvestWrite is a writing competition on investment related topics. It is entirely FREE for a class to participate. In addition, there are many resources online, and a dedicated staffer to help answer all of your questions. Explore below to learn more:
Additional Resources
Explore the links below to find lesson plans, assessments, and more.
- Council for Economic Education
- Next Gen Personal Finance
- Financial Literacy for Education Success
- Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
- Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Standards
Standards implemented in the 2017-2018 school year included requirements for financial literacy and inquiry skills, which the Money Minded Illinois curriculum meets. Inquiry skills equip students with the skills necessary for college, career, and civic life. You can read the standards at the links below.