Life Skills Teacher Resources

Work on making good shopping choices with a fun economics project. Kids analyze the differences between brand names and generic products, bigger and smaller units for purchase, and different places they can shop for different items.

How cool, an interactive personal finance game! Young consumers play a real-life scenario game to practice making credit decisions. They play the game then discuss good and bad credit choices. The scenarios revolve around the use of a...

It's easy to spot a scheming character out on the street, but spotting scams in the financial world takes some know how. Youngsters learn about common scams and schemes that plague the financial world. After scams, schemes, and fraud are...

Are there benefits to comparison shopping? Yes, even with cell phones. It's important to know which carrier is best and why. Learners interview a family member about his choice in cell phone carriers, and compare that person's choice to...

Put economics and currency exchange rates into a real-world application kids can understand. They'll compare bus fares from various cities around the world. Each child selects three international cities to research. They determine the...

Going once, going twice, sold! An auction provides class members with an opportunity to examine their attitudes toward money. After bidding on and purchasing items, individuals complete an attitude survey and then identify a...

When it comes to all the ways money management and financial responsibility weave into our daily lives as adults, make sure students are prepared to locate resources for managing their finances, such as a financial advisor. 

When should you save, and when should you invest? In considering this question, your class members will also learn about the time value of money, inflation, compounded interest, and income/growth investments. The resource also outlines...

Students explore money management skills and economics thru a creative project where students earn "money" for their assigned "jobs." They keep track of their income and expenses in a transaction record and explore the Excel money...

High schoolers investigate the concept of personal finance. They take a look at some of the misconceptions that surround many financial responsibilities. Students examine statistics and other factors in order to comprehend sound...

Can a bank issue endless loans and checking accounts without regard to the amount of money within its walls? Sal addresses this question throughout the lecture, where he introduces the concept of bank regulations - specifically reserve...

Exploring a world with more than one bank, Sal illustrates the balance sheets of each fictional bank and explains the possible problems that could result from inconsistent reserve ratio requirements. The video details how one bank run...

With just 1000 pieces of fictional gold, Sal takes viewers through fractional reserve banking. He explains how deposits made into a bank can be assets and liabilities, and the role of having reserves. Additionally, he demonstrates the...

Why carry around a heavy suitcase full of gold when you can write a check to your neighbor in the village? Sal's village banks flourish in this video, which introduces checks and demonstrates how they work. While this video is helpful...

This video introduces the institution and function of banks in society by walking viewers through the concept of banking with colorful annotations and simplified narration. The lecture evolves naturally into a discussion about interest...

Using his example of a growing village bank, Sal (the narrator) explains the ins and outs of the banking business, mainly from the banker's perspective. This point of view can be helpful for people who see the bank as an institution that...

After a short review of the banking process and lending procedures, Sal outlines some of the problems and weaknesses of fractional reserve banking. Additionally, he details the differences between illiquidity and insolvency, as well as...

The first step in managing your money is making money! Learn about ways to find and interview for a job with a thorough lesson plan on personal finances. Kids learn about the ways to earn a paycheck and then manage the funds they receive.

In this Economics/Personal financial literacy worksheet, learners use USA Today to find article, photos, charts, or graphics related to events that are affecting the prices of different products and services.  Students answer...

What do figures of speech have to do with financial literacy? Take an interdisciplinary look at The Berenstain Bears' Trouble with Money to find out. Young analysts read about the cubs' spendthrift ways and how Mama and Papa Bear...

Ready to delve into personal finance? Learners discover how to organize a check book register. They practice debits and credits in a math game involving the register they set up. While they gain valuable practical knowledge, they also...

How do grown ups do it? Teach your upper graders the ins and outs of personal finance by having them use their algebra skills to balance a checkbook. They examine the financial side of math, set up a checking account, and balance their...

Why shouldn't we just save all our money in our mattress? Couldn't our money disappear? Pupils discover the benefits of utilizing banks and credit unions for saving money, as well as how to evaluate different types of...