Unit 1: Way to Wealth

Way to Wealth focuses on the larger picture of financial literacy and why it is important that students understand their part in the economic health of their community. From understanding supply and demand to what it takes to personally build wealthier habits, the result should be a classroom of students interested in learning more.

Module 1A: Supply and Demand

Suppy and demain are economic concepts that students don’t generally relate to their personal lives. The game of musical charis not only engages students in a fun, exciting activity but also teaches them the importance concepts about how the economic world works.

Module 1B: Way to Wealth

A short four-minute video introduces students the the concept of making smarter choices as early as today.

Module 1C: Wealthy vs Poor Habits

Destinguishing between poor and welathy habits introduces students to the idea that their actions are what determine their future self.

Module 1D: Perception and Personal Presentation

What we do and say will influence other’s opinion of us and ultimately open the door to opportunities or close it. These fun activites show student how they might be perceived negatively without intention.

Unit 2: Income and Taxes

Students should understa nd that money is not something that just comes out of a machine or from an adult’s pocket. Money is something that has to be ea rned before it can be saved and spent. This unit discusses the basics of working to earn a paycheck and the importance of taxes, what they pay for, and why they are not inherently “bad.”

Module 2A: Earning Income

Through an activity that requires students to work for their “paycheck,” they distinquish the difference between employer and employee as well as the basics of employment. 

Module 2B: Paying Income Taxes

Once students have learned what it takes to earn a paycheck, this module shows how taxes affect their income and the world around them.

Unit 3: Spending Wisely

Unexpected life events happen to everyone. which is why it is important to stay prepared financially. Proper planning and living within one‘s means will ensure stability w hen the unexpected happens. Whet her you have a large or small net income, spending it w isely is a safe approach to successfully managing those unexpected events.

Module 3A: Budgeting

This module provides insights into different individual lifestyle choices. By assigning students to mixed groups, they begin to realize that not everyone has the same wants and needs. Students learn how to compromise and budget accordingly.

Module 3B: Spending Plan

By calculating the amount required to live a desired lifestyle, individuals establish a goals based approach to financial preparedness. The purpose of this activity is for the students to realize what they hold valuable as individuals and to plan accordingly.

Unit 4: Banking

Although banking has become a virtual application. it is still important to understand the basics of writing a check, filling out a deposit slip, calculating discounts and sales tax when making purchases, as well as where to find account information such as the bank routing and account numbers.

Module 4A: Paying for Purchases

This module teaches students how to apply discounts and the sales tax of a purchase. Students learn how to write a check to purchase an item and how to fill out a deposit slop to present at a bank. 

Module 4B: Count Back Change

Cash handling is an important skill whether you are the customer confirming the correct change or the retailer giving the correct change. Competition makes this activity a student favorite.

Unit 5: Credit & Debt

The economy grows because of us, consumers, who spend money for products and services. Borrowing allows consumers and companies to purchase things they need and want without having to wait to save the necessary cash.

Module 5A: Credit Cards

In this module, students learn about credit cards through a fun rap song filling in the blanks as they listen for the important information.

Module 5B: Borrowing Money

In this module, students will gain a basic understanding of the terms used when borrow ing money through a vocabulary activity designed to give students a chance to m ake an educated guess to learn the terms and definitions

Unit 6: Increasing Net Worth

Net worth is determined by subtract ing one‘s liabilities from the value of their assets. A person‘s net worth isn’t always positive. Introducing the concepts of assets and liabilities encourages st udents to think about their purchases and the effect these w ill have on their future net worth.

Module 6A: Assets & Liabilities

In this module. students will d istinguish between assets and liabilities as well as determine which assets are wealth–building/income–producing assets and which are not.

Module 6B: Income & Expenses

This module shows how comparing income and expenses (budgeting) helps to evaluate where money goes and how one can recognize ways to save and invest more.

Module 6C: Net Worth

Having a positive net worth is the first step to financial freedom. In this activity, students will learn how to calculate net worth. The students will use the assets, liabilities, income, and expense cards from the previous activities.

Unit 7: Investing for the Future

This unit provides a general overview of investing but most importantly discusses the Rule of 72 and compound interest. Students are encouraged to start saving today because even a small amount saved can generate increased wealth over time.

Module 7A: Stock Market Rap

This four–minute video is a fun rap introducing the concept of investing in businesses both public and private. Additionally, it provides a basic understanding of terminology related to investing.

Module 7B:  Vocabulary Performance

Giving student s a creative way to learn com plicated terms makes it personal to them. Sharing what they‘ve learned and created with the rest of the class sparks their interest.

Module 7C: Rule of 72 & the Magic of Compound Interest

The “Rule of 72” is a formula that approximates the number of years it will take invested money to double in value given the annual rate of return. This is a great visual that kids understand.

Unit 8: Review

Now it’s time to bring together all the concepts of the Wealthy Habits program. These review activities focus on games to help reinforce what students have learned.

Module 8A: Kahoot Game

Module 8B: Trashcan Basketball

Module 8C: Flyswatter Game

Module 8D: Passwords Game