Basics of Investing

Component: Investing Money | Grade Level: Grade 7-8

Learning Targets:

Targets for knowledge, skills, and behaviours below are possible targets. It is not expected that all will be covered by a single Teaching Unit. Teachers can select their learning targets using the Teaching Units provided (to the right), adaptations of these Teaching Units, or Units/Lesson Plans they develop on their own.

KNOW:

  • Investment is key to making improvements in our economy
  • Investments in people, equipment, capital, and other resources contribute to growth, innovation, and employment
  • Different kinds of basic investments (GICs, stocks, bonds, mutual funds)
  • How the stock market works
  • Investing can result in losses as well as gains
  • Different kinds of investment income (interest, dividends, capital gains)
  • Roles of banks and other financial institutions in investment
  • The “Rule of 72” to help predict the growth in value of an investment
  • The impact compound interest can have on investments

BE ABLE TO:

  • Identify investments that have led to improvements in the economy and their community
  • Explain how investments in stocks can earn money and lose money
  • Calculate interest that will be earned on a savings account or GIC investment
  • Compare the risks of different kinds of investments

ACTION/BEHAVIOUR:

  • Begin to invest resources they have – time, ideas, effort, etc. – to make improvements in their life
  • If possible, start saving and investing early to provide longer time for growth
  • Invest their time, effort, ideas, etc. as they are able to help others

Teaching Unit:

Basics of Investing

A person doesn’t need money to invest. They can invest effort to make a garden grow, invest time to read and learn more, and so on. But many young people will invest money one day – and it is important that they be prepared if they do.

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