This unit is a very powerful example of how algebra will affect students' lives. We strongly suggest that you give your students opportunities to discuss this lesson at home (as with the "Day 1" writing assignment mentioned below). We like to introduce this unit with the "Wha-Oh Investment Problem," which will lead most students to say "I'll never be able to retire!" Then...after they do the "Long-Game Investment" project they'll be excited & amazed at the power of exponential growth!
New for the 2024-25 school year, we'll be using the "Hook Lesson" for Exponential Growth & Logarithms. We'll also suggest that teachers print out a poster-sized copy of the "Menu of Covariaton" and post it in the front of their classrooms.
Teacher Suggestions:
Before these projects - Assign the "Introductory Investing Research" assignment for homework. Encourage them to talk to "someone over 30," but I allow them to do internet research as well.
Whether you decide to begin with the "Wha-Oh Investment" assignment or jump right into the "Long-game Investment" assignment, it's fun to start with an "Investment Lottery." Each student decides what type of investment they'd like to make, but then the actual 10-year-average return is randomly selected among a group of ETFs/Mutual Funds. For homework, we suggest having the students decide whether they want to invest in "bonds, stocks of large companies, stocks of small companies, or mixed funds" if you want to use our pre-made Google doc from 2020 . Alternatively, you could ask them which "asset class" they'd like to invest in if you want to use the the Vanguard website or our updated investment doc.
Do the "Wha-Oh Investment" assignment (& Teacher Example) so that students will understand how important (and potentially difficult) it is to save enough money for retirement.
Do the "Long-Game Investment (original)" (updated for 2024-25) assignment (Teacher Example) so that your students will experience the power of exponential growth!
(Optional) Do the Extra-Credit "Realistic Retirement Plan" on the "Long-Game Investment" assignment
The Cool Car vs. IRA (& Teacher Example) is a great project that reviews exponential growth and introduces Geometric Series.