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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

Wheel of Fate

This lesson introduces students to the concept of retail sales tax through a race called HST Derby.
To complete the race, students work in co-operative teams to accurately calculate HST on a variety of purchases.

  • Grade Level: 4
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    Mathematics, grades 1–8 (2005)

Lesson Plan

Using Ratios to Compare Renting Vs Buying Over Time

Students will calculate, graph, and compare historical price multiples of rent to price ratios.

  • Grade Level: 7
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    Mathematics

Lesson Plan

Space Force

Students will assess the value of Canada’s space program. They will compare and contrast this spending to other (federal) government expenses in a class debate.

  • Grade Level: 6
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    Science

    Mathematics

    Language

Lesson Plan

How Fresh is Fresh Produce-Lesson 2

In this lesson, students consider the financial and other benefits of buying local produce.

  • Grade Level: 7-9
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    Math
    Social Science

Lesson Plan

How Fresh is Fresh Produce-Lesson 1

In this lesson, students consider the financial and other benefits of buying local produce.

  • Grade Level: 7-9
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    Math
    Social Science

Lesson Plan

Closing the Gap – Shannen’s Dream

This lesson is designed to help students understand and assess the funding gap between reserve and off-reserve students in Ontario.

  • Grade Level: 5-6
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    Social Studies

    Language

    Mathematics

Lesson Plan

Bitcoins 101: Introduction to Investing (Lesson 3 of 3)

This lesson explores other uses of Bitcoin, consolidates the learnings from previous lessons and helps students understand the concept of blockchain through an activity.

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

    BBI1O/BBI2O
    Introduction to Business

    MBF3C
    Foundations for College Mathematics

    GWL3O
    Designing Your Own Future

    GLS4O/GLE4O/GLE3O
    Advanced Learning Strategies: Skills for Success After Secondary School

Lesson Plan

Bitcoins 101: Introduction to Investing (Lesson 2 of 3)

Students will gain an understanding of what cryptocurrency is and its use as an investment option.

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

    BBI1O/BBI2O
    Introduction to Business

    MBF3C
    Foundations for College Mathematics

    GWL3O
    Designing Your Own Future

    GLS4O/GLE4O/GLE3O
    Advanced Learning Strategies: Skills for Success After Secondary School

Lesson Plan

Are Cryptocurrencies a Valuable Currency for Everyday Use?

Students will learn about the definition of money, debate whether cryptocurrency is money, and try to make a judgment about whether or not it is a good investment.

  • Grade Level: 8
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    Language

Lesson Plan

Stock Market Madness

In this lesson, students will examine the returns of different savings styles, stocks in companies and regular bank accounts (or GICs), and determine which type of saving they prefer to use.

  • Grade Level: 8
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    Mathematics, grades 1–8 (2005)

Lesson Plan

Pros and Cons of Electric Cars

In this lesson, students investigate the costs and benefits of using electric cars over gasoline-powered cars by comparing the cost and environmental impact of both types of vehicles.

  • Grade Level: 7
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    Science and Technology, grades 1 to 8 (2007 revised)
    Mathematics, grades 1–8 (2005)

Lesson Plan

Investing Basics

In these lessons, students will learn key financial terms and some basics rules to help them manage their money. Students will also learn investment vehicles and how to structure different types of investment portfolios.

  • Grade Level: 10-12
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    BBI1O/BBI2O – Introduction to Business
    MBF3C – Foundations for College Mathematics
    GWL3O – Designing Your Own Future
    GLS4O/GLE4O/GLE3O – Advanced Learning Strategies: Skills for Success After Secondary School
    CLE 3M – The Individual and the Economy

Lesson Plan

Debt: Benefits and Costs

This lesson introduces students to the concept of “debt.” After examining the costs of different types of debt and the effect on purchase prices, students determine whether debt is worthwhile.

  • Grade Level: 7
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    Mathematics, grades 1­–8 (2005)
    Social Studies, grades 1–8 (2013)

Lesson Plan

Restaurant Challenge

During this lesson, students will determine the costs needed to run a small business, a restaurant, and determine how many meals they will need to sell to earn a profit.

  • Grade Level: 7
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    Mathematics, grades 1­–8 (2005)
    Language Arts (2006)

Lesson Plan

Counting Change

In this lesson, students will learn how to round prices without the use of the penny and practice giving and receiving change.

  • Grade Level: 5
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    Mathematics

Lesson Plan

All money present and accounted for!

In this lesson, students compare rates and calculate return on various investment vehicles. Students will develop skills with percentages and banking, as well as how to research.

  • Grade Level: 8
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    Mathematics, grades 1-8 (2005)

Lesson Plan

Assessing profit margins

When setting the price of a new product in the market, how can a business strike a balance between attracting consumers to buy its products and earning as much profit per unit as possible?

  • Grade Level: 10-12
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    MPM2D – Principles of Mathematics
    MCR3U – Functions
    MCF3M – Functions and Applications
    MBF3C – Foundations for College Mathematics
    MAP4C – Foundations for College Mathematics
    BDI3C – Entrepreneurship: The Venture
    BMI3C – Marketing: Goods, Services, Events

Lesson Plan

Saving vs. spending

In this lesson, students will explore the pros and cons of spending and saving, and the effect of interest on saving and borrowing. Class discussions cover the importance of starting early with retirement and other savings plans, the importance of an emergency fund, and how to apply the Rule of 72.

  • Grade Level: 11-12
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    HIP4O – Personal Life Management MCR3U – Functions
    CIE 3M – The Individual and the Economy

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

Tower building on a budget

In this lesson, students compare the benefits and costs of spending decisions by working in teams to build the tallest tower on the lowest budget.

  • Grade Level: 5-6
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    Mathematics
    Science

Lesson Plan

Personal budgeting 101

In this lesson, students learn the fundamentals of budgeting. Students track income and spending using a journal, design a simple budget, and apply a tool to save for the future.

  • Grade Level: 8
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    Mathematics, grades 1–8 (2005)

Lesson Plan

HST derby

This lesson introduces the concept of retail sales tax through a race called HST Derby. During the race, students cooperate in teams to calculate HST on a variety of purchases.

  • Grade Level: 8
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    Mathematics, grades 1–8 (2005)

Lesson Plan

Supermarket sweep

Students will participate in a comparison shopping exercise by researching the price of various food items using an Internet grocery store website and/or store flyers.

  • Grade Level: 7
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    Mathematics, grades 1–8 (2005)
    Health and Physical Education (2010)

Lesson Plan

My furry friend: costs of pet ownership

Students will calculate and compare the cost of caring for different pets for one year and explore some of the personal benefits of owning a pet.

  • Grade Level: 6
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    Mathematics

Lesson Plan

Mathlete: The costs of playing sports

In this lesson, students compare costs associated with participating in various sports and graph the results. Students then consider ways families can stay fit without spending a lot of money.

  • Grade Level: 5
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    Mathematics
    Health & Physical Education

Lesson Plan

The classroom store

This lesson teaches students how to calculate money amounts and make change by conducting simulated purchases through a classroom store activity.

  • Grade Level: 5
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    Mathematics

Lesson Plan

Making Money!

Have you ever wondered how the designs for money come about? Students will explore the features of Canadian bills and coins and create their own play money.

  • Grade Level: 4
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    Language
    Math
    The Arts (Visual Arts)
    Social Studies

Lesson Plan

Duct tape wallet (math edition)

In this lesson, students calculate the amount and cost for duct tape needed to make duct tape wallets. (This lesson is used along with the Art Lesson, Duct Tape Wallet).

  • Grade Level: 4
  • Course(s)/Subject(s):

    Mathematics

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