Financial Literacy

West Morris Central

Mrs. Pollison

Course Description All students need to understand the basics

of personal finance and be prepared to make informed financial decisions. Students will learn how to budget, maintain a checking/savings account, invest in the stock market, apply for a loan, rent/buy a home or apartment, understand and purchase insurance, plan for retirement, and analyze a paycheck. Other topics include: banking services, owning and operating a car, consumer protection and fraud, wise use of credit, and relevant laws.

Topics: Money & the Federal Reserve Budgeting & Keeping Financial Records Comparing Banking Services

Managing a Checking Account Saving, Investing, Online Banking

Stocks, Bonds, Financial Markets (Stock Market Game) Types and Sources of Credit

Credit Ratings, Cost of Credit, Where? Consumer Protection Laws and Bankruptcy

Housing Alternatives (Renting vs. Buying) Evaluating Transportation Costs and Options

Buying vs. Leasing an Automobile Managing Personal Risks

Property and Liability Insurance Health, Disability, and Life Insurance Automobile Insurance

Consumer Rights and Responsibilities Pay, Benefits, Taxes (prepare income tax forms)

Methods & Techniques: PowerPoint presentations DVD’s/videos Internet video clips Financial websites: Federal Reserve,

NYSE, credit bureaus, banks Internet searches (assignments/projects) Simulations: On Your Own packet, etc. Textbook: Managing Your Personal

Finances Booklets, pamphlets, comic books

Grades: (total points)

Computer/Internet Assignments and Projects In-Class Assignments & Projects Research Projects – individual and team Unit Tests and Quizzes Personal Budgeting Simulation (On Your Own) Checking Simulation (How to Do Your Banking) Computer Simulation (Financial Literacy) Class Participation/Time Management during

class

Grading Criteria and Scale:

Tests and Quizzes 40% All quizzes and tests must be made up within 1 week.

Daily Assignments – In-Class 30% Simulations, Projects, Presentations 30%

Tests: 50-100 pointsQuizzes: 10-20 pointsMinor Assignments: + - (3, 2, 1, 0 points)Major Assignments: 10-20 pointsProjects: 50-100 points

Mrs. Pollison West Morris Central – 10 years CCM, RVCC, SCCC – 8 years Adult schools – 7 years Bound Brook High School – 8 years Computer Consulting Business – 10 years Banking – 2 years The College of NJ – B.A. and M.Ed. In Business

Education 30 graduate education credits (beyond Masters) IB Business & Management training – 1 wk in NM NYSE Workshop – 1 week NY Federal Reserve Personal Finance Workshop