Grade 7 - Coding Lesson - $20 or 20%?    (2 hours) In this coding lesson using Scratch, students can create a calculator in which they can compare two different discount structures. Depending on the number of items bought, the calculator will be able to provide savings from either choosing a 20% discount, or a $ 20 discount. Students get to utilize conditions and operations blocs in this activity. (Specific Expectations: C2.2, C2.3, C3.1, F1.4, B2.1, A1)

Grade 7 - Financial Literacy Lesson 1 - Saving for a Smartphone   (3-4 hours) In this lesson, students will learn about the value of creating a budget, different types of savings accounts and the implications interest rates can have on saving money. Following that, students will use money earned from a part-time job and saved over time to investigate various mobile phone plans to determine which one best suits their needs.  (Specific Expectations: B1.6, B2.1, F1.6, C1.1, A1)

Grade 7 - Financial Literacy Lesson 2 - Foreign Exchange   (2 hours) In this lesson, play money is used to simulate the experience of exchanging currencies. Students will learn how to perform currency exchange, why it exists and how to use online currency exchange rate websites.  (Specific Expectations: F1.1, A1)

Grade 7 - Financial Literacy Lesson 3 - Factors Influencing Financial Decision Making   (2-3 hours) In this lesson, students will analyse different scenarios in order to identify the factors that influence financial decision-making. Students will evaluate the impact of each factor on the decision-making process and how they affect short and long-term financial goals.  (Specific Expectations: F1.4, A1)

Grade 8 - Financial Literacy Lesson 1 - Understanding Interest   (1.5 hours) In this lesson, students will investigate different aspects of how interest is calculated, charged and earned. Students will compare scenarios to understand the impact of interest.  (Specific Expectations: F1.4, D1.2, B2.8, A1)

Grade 8 - Financial Literacy Lesson - Budget Discovery   (1 hour) In this lesson, the student learns how to make and maintain a balanced budget using various budgeting tools.  (Specific Expectations: F1.3, A1)

Using Ratios To Compare Renting Vs Buying Over Time   Students will calculate, graph, and compare historical price multiples of rent to price ratios.  (Math Expectations: D1.2, D1.3, B1.7, F1.2)

The Social Consequences of Renting Vs Buying   Students will compare the social benefits and costs of buying versus renting a home and will describe the potential impacts of both choices on individuals and society.  (Math Expectations: F1, F1.4 (Gr 7))

Pros And Cons Of Electric Cars   Students investigate the costs and benefits of using electric cars over gasoline-powered cars by comparing the cost and environmental impact of both types of vehicles.  (Math Expectations: B1, B1, F1.4-Gr 7, Science & Technology: Interactions in the Environment 1.1, 1.2)

Dollar Store Economics   Students will analyze and assess the value (cost and quality) of products purchased at a dollar/discount store compared to a specialty store. (Math Expectations: B1, B2, F1.4-Gr 7, F1.5-Gr 8)

Debt: Benefits and Costs  Students are introduced to the concept of “debt.” After examining the costs of different types of debt and the effect on purchase prices, students discuss the pros and cons of debt.  (Math Expectations: B1, B2, F1.2-Gr 8, F1.4, F1.5-Gr 7, F1.6)

Restaurant Challenge!  Students will determine the costs needed to run a small business, a restaurant, and determine how many meals they will need to sell to earn a profit (Math Expectations: B1, B2, F1.3)

Deserted!  Students will think about their needs and wants and how they can change depending on circumstances. Students will also make the connection between their needs and wants and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. (Math Expectations: F1.4-Gr 7)

Supermarket Sweep  Students will participate in a comparison shopping exercise by researching the price of various food items using an Internet grocery store website and/or store flyers. (Math Expectations: B1, B2, F1.2-Gr 7, F1.3, F1.4-Gr 7)

If Money Grew on Trees  Students evaluate needs and wants by planning and organizing a multi-paragraph writing piece in response to the question: “What would you do if money grew on trees?”  (Math Expectations: F1.2-Gr 8, F1.4-Gr 7)

Advertising: Behind the Image  Students analyze popular advertisements in order to see how the different forms of marketing can shape individual needs, wants, and purchasing decisions.  (Math Expectations: F1.4-Gr 7)

Are Cryptocurrencies a Valuable Currency for Everyday Use?  Students will learn about the definition of money, debate whether cryptocurrency is money, and try to make a judgment about whether or not it is a good investment.  (Math Expectations: F1.1)

Stock Market Madness: Comparing Returns from the Stock Market  Students will examine the returns of different savings styles, stocks in companies and regular bank accounts (or GICs), and determine which type of saving they prefer to use.  (Math Expectations: D1, D2, F1.4-Gr 8)

Tax The Rich? A Thought Experiment  Students explore opinions about taxation and distributive justice by participating in a thought experiment that involves examining two sides of the argument of taxing the rich based on opposing readings.  (Math Expectations: F1.2-Gr 8, F1.4-Gr 7, Language - Oral Communication: 1.2, 1.4, 2.3, Reading: 1.1, 1.4, 1.5)

All Money Present And Accounted For!  Students compare rates and calculate the return on various investment vehicles. Students will develop skills with percentages and banking, as well as how to research.  (Math Expectations: B1, B2, F1.5, F1.6)

Personal Budgeting 101  Students learn the fundamentals of budgeting. Students track income and spending using a journal, design a simple budget and apply a tool to save for the future.  (Math Expectations: B1, B2, F1.2-Gr 7, F1.3, F1.4-Gr 7)

HST Derby  Students are introduced to the concept of retail sales tax through a race called HST Derby. During the race, students cooperate in teams to calculate HST on a variety of purchases.  (Math Expectations: B1, B2, F1.2-Gr 8)

Food Banks  Students compose a letter to the editor expressing ideas, concerns and opinions they have about the use of food banks in Canada.  (Math Expectations: Language - Writing: 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.8, 3.7, 3.8)

Financial Challenges Facing Canadian Workers  Students will write and receive letters from Canadian workers in the 20th and 21st-century to explore and compare financial challenges that workers experienced in these periods.  (Math Expectations: F1.2-Gr 8, F1.3, History: Canada 1890-1914: B1.1, B1.2, B1.3, B2.5)

Cost Of Borrowing  Students will learn how to read a credit card statement and the cost of using credit cards.  (Math Expectations: F1.1-Gr 8, F1.5, F1.6-Gr 8)

What Influences Our Spending?  Students will analyze factors that influence their product choices. Students are encouraged to discern messages used in various media texts by marketers to grab their attention.  (Math Expectations: F1.4-Gr 7)

Tower Building On A Budget  Students compare the benefits and costs of spending decisions by working in teams to build the tallest tower on the lowest budget.  (Math Expectations: F1.3)

Two Cents – Money Wisdom  Students assess and evaluate money advice from family members and experts in the community by conducting interviews about how different people earn, save and spend money. (Math Expectations: F1.2-Gr 7, F1.5-Gr 8, Language - Writing: 1, 2, 3, 4)