9th Grade  Lesson 45 minutes

Finance Fiesta: Invest Like a Pro!

Kayle Buckingham
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Purpose

In this lesson, students will actively engage in understanding the complexities of investment portfolios by simulating real-world financial decision-making. Through hands-on activities, they will explore how diversification can manage risk and optimize returns, while also considering the socio-emotional aspects of risk-taking. By analyzing case studies and participating in a simulation game, students will develop critical thinking skills and gain practical insights into creating balanced investment strategies that align with financial goals.

Learning goals

Students will develop the ability to create a diversified investment portfolio by understanding and applying concepts related to stocks, bonds, ETFs, and mutual funds. They will learn to analyze market trends and financial goals to make informed investment decisions while considering risk and return. Through hands-on activities, students will enhance their critical thinking and teamwork skills as they navigate real-world financial scenarios.
Standards
  • Common Core - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSN.Q.A.1: Use units as a way to understand problems and to guide the solution of multi-step problems; choose and interpret units consistently in formulas; choose and interpret the scale and the origin in graphs and data displays.
  • Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.9: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
  • Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.1: Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.

Products

Students will create a mock investment portfolio using a digital platform, showcasing their strategic choices in stocks, bonds, ETFs, and mutual funds. They will compile a presentation that details their decision-making process, including risk analysis and diversification strategies. Additionally, students will maintain a 'Risk and Return Journal' to document their reflections on portfolio management and socio-emotional growth throughout the simulation.

Launch

Kick off the lesson with an interactive 'Investment Portfolio Simulation Game' where students form teams and are given a set budget to create a mock portfolio. They will make investment decisions based on simulated market news and trends, experiencing the dynamics of real-time trading. This engaging activity sets the stage for exploring essential questions about diversification, risk, and return in investment strategies.

Exhibition

At the end of the lesson, students will host a "Financial Expo" where they present their investment portfolios to classmates, teachers, and community members. Each team will showcase their strategies, the rationale behind their choices, and the outcomes of their portfolio simulation. Attendees can engage with students by asking questions and providing feedback, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas and insights. This exhibition will allow students to demonstrate their understanding of diversification, risk management, and financial goal alignment in a real-world context.