There is lots of flexibility with this unit. Although it may seem small, this unit allows teachers and students explore topics in greater depth in a lecture/small group discussion format, online discussions, or student led lessons. This resource covers the role of cash management in personal financial management; types of financial institutions; FDIC/NCUA; and cash management products such as savings and checking accounts, bank services, and electronic banking services.

The strength of this unit is the flexibility it provides for teachers and students. The structure of this unit allows for a variety of instructional strategies to be utilized.

Note: this resource was contributed by Todd Williams and authored by Michelle Gibson Herman.

Lesson Objective: At the completion of this lesson, students will be able to create a budget to accomplish personal financial goals. Supplies Needed: Student Handout 1 U.S. Saving and Spending Web Quest (found in Task 1 and Task 2) Student Handout 2 Fast-Forward: Life in 10 Years – A Planning Activity (Found in Task 3) Student Handout 3 Personal Finance Public Service Announcement Rubric (found in Task 4) Student Handout 4 FoolProof: Personal Finance Company’s Guide toMonthly Budgeting (Found in Task 5) Student Handout Answer Key 4 FoolProof: Personal Finance Company’s Guide toMonthly Budgeting (Found in Resource Library) Student Handout 5 Personal Finance Decisions (Found in Task 6) Student Handout 6 What’s Your Budget? (Found in Task 7) Student Handout 6 Answer Key  What’s Your Budget? (Found in Resource Library)   References Econedlink: Council for Economic Education. (n.d.). Economic Glossary. Retrieved from http://www.econedlink.org/economic-resources/glossary.php 

Bank of America and Khan Academy created an online partnership to educate consumers about the basics of personal finance and money management. Students sign up for free and can accumulate points and earn badges on many topics including credit, taxes, personal banking/security, saving, school expenses, home buying, car buying, and debt. Tools include informative videos, infographics, key takeaways, and short quizzes.

Lesson Objective: At the completion of this lesson, students will have a better understanding of how they make informed personal decisions that can affect income generation. Supplies Needed: Student Handout 1 SWOT Analysis for College Choices (2 per student) (found in Task 3) Student Handout 2 Definitions and Risks (found in Task 5) Student Handout Answer Key 2 Definitions and Risks (found in Resource Library) Teacher Resource 1 Five Paragraph Essay Rubric (found in Task 7) Video 1 Laugh and Learn about Personal Finance (3:17) (found in Task 1)  References Econedlink: Council for Economic Education. (n.d.). Economic Glossary. Retrieved from http://www.econedlink.org/economic-resources/glossary.php Laugh and Learn about Personal Finance – InvestorED.ca by GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_mU8VX1Arc MBA dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2014, from MBAResearch and Curriculum Center 

This lesson introduces students to the concept of financial institutions, such as banks, insurance companies, credit unions, investment companies, and more. First, use the briefing (found in Task 1) to teach students about this concept. Then, instruct students to develop informational charts about financial institutions. This briefing is a part of the Introduction to Finance Course Guide. To download it, visit mbastatesconnection.mbaresearch.org and select "Course Guides" under "Curriculum and Instruction."

Lesson Objective: At the completion of this lesson, students will be able to explain risk management through a combination of avoidance, risk, reduction, retention, and transfer.  Supplies NeededStudent Handout 1 Insurance Vocabulary (1 per student) (found in Task 2) Student Handout Answer Key1Insurance Vocabulary (found in Resource Library) Student Handout 2 You Make the Decision (1 per student) (found in Task 4) Student Handout 5 Risk Vocabulary Quiz (1 per student) (found in Task 7) Student Handout Answer Key 5 Risk Vocabulary Quiz Answer Key (found in Resource Library)  Video 1 Why Life Insurance is Important (1:49) (found in Task 1)  ReferencesEconedlink: Council for Economic Education. (n.d.). Economic Glossary. Retrieved from http://www.econedlink.org/economic-resources/glossary.phpMBA dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2014, from MBAResearch and Curriculum CenterShutterstock. (n.d.) Photos. Retrieved from http://www.shutterstock.com/ 

At JA BizTown, students operate banks, manage restaurants, write checks, use debit cards, and vote for a mayor. They connect the dots between what they learn in school and the real world.

At JA Finance Park, students act as adults and make personal financial decisions in a realistic facility, mobile unit or virtual community. They develop lifelong financial skills through in-class and simulated experiences.

This unit is an exceprt from the MBA Research and Curriculum Personal Finance Course Guide. Course Guides include recommended performance indicators, sequencing, instructional objectives, resources, and activities for students.  It focuses on the concept of personal finance and includes objectives, activities, and several book and online resources. The full course includes 9 more units focused on setting goals, budgeting, tracking and borrowing money, and financial literacy skills. To access the full course guide, visit mbastatesconnection.mbaresearch.org and select "Course Guides" under "Curriculum and Instruction."Use this as a guide to teaching a unit about earning money. Each task is related to one performance indicator in the unit. First, use the learning objectives to teach students the important components of a topic. Then, use the activity to engage students and reinforce learning. The online and textbook resources in each tasks can be used to extend learning.

We were recently successful in getting Personal Finance as a graduation requirement starting with the class of 2021. We modified a proposal that was previously developed by Oconomowoc High School staff as they also were successful with Personal Finance as a graduation requirement.

We utilized the proposal to submit to gain support from our curriculum director as well as the school board. Advisory members from the financial sector assisted with presentation of the proposal.

Personal Finance course FREE teacher resources and trial access to online course solution as well as a correlation to WI state standards.