When learning a new subject, students often ask

“Why do I need to know this?”

“How does this information relate to anything in my life?”

Your students will never question the relevance of this course. Money and their ability to manage money impacts their everyday lives, and will become even more important as they get older. Financial literacy means understanding how money works, how money is earned and managed, and wealth built. Building a secure financial future includes understanding the differences between income and wealth and why wealth is the key to financial security.

Unit Theme

Earning an Income

Lesson Topics

  • Defining financial literacy
  • Introduction to course themes
  • Income vs. wealth
  • Wealthbuilding as a second job
  • Wealth and financial security
  • Income and class division in America
  • (opt.) Gender pay inequality debate

Lesson Objectives

Lesson objectives aligned to NSFL.

Objective NSFL Gr. 8 NSFL Gr. 12
Compare income and wealth I-3, I-4, I-6 +*
List key features of U.S. socioeconomic classes + +
Explain the significance of the FPL I-10 I-3
Summarize the relationship of wealth to financial security I-7; + +
(Opt.) Argue for or against Gender Pay Gap reforms + +
(Tech Opt.) Use SweetSearch to research Gender Pay Gap + +

* Exceeds NFSL

Teach the Teacher Podcast

Listen to this lesson’s podcast episode:

Classroom Instructional Slides

Click here to link to classroom slides to help maintain students’ focus and attention during instruction.

Lesson 1 Getting Personal You and Your Money lesson cover

View PDF

Links to Supplemental Resources

Pew Research Center Income Calculator
Investopedia.com