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InspireFinancialLearning.ca is an initiative of the Ontario Teachers' Federation to provide teachers with effective tools and strategies to help their students navigate the complex world of personal finances.

We welcome input at info@inspirefinanciallearning.ca.

Lesson Plan

Free Trade and Protectionism: Who Wins, who loses

In this lesson, students will learn how trade agreements between Canada and its economic partners work. Students will also learn how tariffs, customs duties and import taxes affect the price of consumer goods.

  • Grade Level: 9-10
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    Grade 9
    MFM1P – Foundations of Mathematics

    Grade 10
    CHC2D – Canadian History
    since World War I

    Grade 10
    CHC2P – Canadian History
    since World War I

Lesson Plan

What’s Your Score?

In this lesson, students will learn how to read and interpret a credit report and, in the process, they will develop an understanding of how their spending and use of credit/debt, affects their credit history.

  • Grade Level: 9-12
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    Introduction to Business (BBI1O/BBI2O)
    Exploring Family Studies (HIF1O/2O)
    Personal Life Management (HIP40)

Lesson Plan

Urban planning and your finances

In this lesson, students have an opportunity to experience the effects of urban growth on their personal finances. The phenomena of urban sprawl, vehicle use, traffic congestion, and population density have distinct effects on personal finances. This lesson will serve as a bridge between urban geography and financial literacy.

  • Grade Level: 9-10
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    CGC1D – Issues in Canadian Geography
    CGC1P – Issues in Canadian Geography
    *Also applicable in Economics and Business.

Lesson Plan

Setting priorities

In this lesson, students will brainstorm their expenses and categorize each as a need or a want. Using an example from current events, students will discuss the importance of setting spending priorities, and distinguishing between needs and wants to ensure financial security.

  • Grade Level: 9-12
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    HFL4E – Food and Healthy Living
    HIF1O/2O – Exploring Family Studies
    HIP4O – Personal Life Management
    CIE 3M – The Individual and the Economy

Lesson Plan

Cost of borrowing

In this lesson, students will learn how to read a credit card statement and the cost of using credit cards.

  • Grade Level: 9-12
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    BBI1O/2O – Business Studies
    HIF1O/2O – Exploring Family Studies
    HIP4O – Personal Life Management
    MEL3E – Mathematics for Work and Everyday Life
    CIE3M – The Individual and the Economy

Lesson Plan

Know your flow

In this lesson, students will identify and review their expenses and income and learn to create a budget.

  • Grade Level: 9-12
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    BBI1O/BBI2O – Introduction to Business
    HIF1O/2O – Exploring Family Studies
    HIP4O – Personal Life Management
    CIE 3M – The Individual and the Economy

Lesson Plan

Cost of music piracy

This lesson explores the cost of music piracy from the point of view of artists, composers, consumers and other stakeholders in the Canadian music industry. The lesson includes a focus on Canada’s Copyright Act to clarify legal and ethical issues surrounding the licensing, reproduction and digital distribution of music.

  • Grade Level: 9-12
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    AMU1O/2O – Music
    ASM2O Media Arts
    Also Law and Canadian Studies courses
    CIC4E Making Personal Economic Choices

Lesson Plan

Online scams and schemes

In this lesson, students will learn ways to avoid financial scams and schemes designed to defraud customers.

  • Grade Level: 9-12
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    ENG2P – English Applied
    BTT1O/BTT2O – Information Technology
    BBI1O/BBI2O – Introduction to Business

Lesson Plan

Zero-budget band

Forming a percussion ensemble can be expensive. This lesson explores using repurposed items to create soundscapes and rhythmic music. The lesson demonstrates that having a zero-budget need not be a barrier to making music.

  • Grade Level: 9
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    AMU1O

Lesson Plan

Price it right!

In this lesson, students learn how companies use skim and penetration pricing models to maximize sales and increase profit.

  • Grade Level: 9-10
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    BBI1O/BBI2O – Introduction to Business Studies

Lesson Plan

Buskerfest

Buskerfest is a tradition celebrated in many cities across Canada. This lesson provides an opportunity for students to explore some non-traditional ways by which musical artists earn money. It also gives students a chance to explore non-traditional performance environments and audiences.

  • Grade Level: 9
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    AMU1O – Music
    (adaptable to other arts areas)

Lesson Plan

Bank ads

In this lesson, students describe the roles of various financial institutions by analyzing bank advertisements. Students will research and then create a media product for a particular financial product or service of their choice.

  • Grade Level: 9-11
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    English-Academic/Applied – ENG1P/ENG1D
    English University/College – ENG3U/3C  EMS3O
    Introduction to Business – BBI1O/BBI2O

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