Using Real-World Projects to Teach Teens About Financial Literacy
Stanley cups, Birks, AirPods, Lulu, venti coffee drinks, freshly manicured nails, and more. Your students are lacking in wants and high-end habits in their young lives.
It seems they might have financial literacy covered with those kind of spending habits, but I’ve realized it’s far from it.
Using real world projects to teach teens about financial literacy has been one of the more successful ways to let them see their habits.
Financial literacy projects for teens
Combining student interests like moving out and planning vacations with these two financial literacy projects.
It's time to move out
The It’s Time to Move Out” financial literacy project focuses on students moving into a dorm or an apartment.
Of course, the discussion is always happening that college is not necessary for everyone. But for this project, students will choose either a college or technical/trade school.
This financial literacy project has 12 steps, including purchasing essential items for their new living space, fun items to build their vibe, and turning on utilities.
No true financial literacy project is complete without a few unexpected expenses, because that’s life!
This project can easily last 3-4, or even a full week depending on class time and the amount of discussion and reflection on each step of the project.
Planning your National Parks vacation
Another financial literacy project is Planning Your National Parks Vacation.
This 8 step project has students planning travel, acomodations, activities, souvenirs, and more while vacationing to their favorite National Park.
And once again, what’s a true vacation without some unexpected financial events along the way!?
This project works nicely for a 2-3 day project and keeps students engaged dreaming about a fabulous vacation.
Financial literacy activities
And because a unit needs more activities than just projects to help reinforce learning, there are several more activities to extend your unit.
In fact, the bundle could easily provide 2-4 weeks of activities and projects.
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The financial literacy activities focuses on saving, spending, and investing. This includes three activities, including the fortune teller. The fortune teller is a random dice activity that allows students to see how various amounts can *hopefully* increase their financial gains for the future.
Hexagonal thinking is my go-to activity for critical thinking and reflection.
Why?
Because this activity allows students to use critical thinking skills to help build an understanding for vocab and concepts. As long as students can justify their thinking, there are essentially no wrong answers.
And who doesn’t love a game of BINGO, financial literacy style. A great way to fill any spare moments of time or to round out the unit.
Financial literacy doesn’t have to be a topic you’re dreading or trudging through a textbook with over-their-head topics. These activities not only make it relatable, but make it enjoyable.