The Lesson Plan for the High Returns Financial Literacy Program for middle school students is detailed below.

Session One 

• Students make choices to better understand the concept of self knowledge — the awareness of their skills, interests, and values—as they consider education, careers, and other life choices.

  • Use personal reflection to explain self-knowledge. 

  • Apply their skills, interests, and values to help determine a potential career path. 

Session Two 

• Students learn how to set goals for their futures and to see the connection between personal finance, education, and careers.

  • Identify the connection between goal setting, personal finance, education, and career choices. 

  • Apply decision making to education and career choices. 

Session Three

• Students examine how consumers pay for goods and services. They discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using debit and credit cards.

  • Identify the differences between debit and credit cards. 

  • Explain the advantages and disadvantages of both cards. 

  • Recognize the importance of taking personal responsibility for financial decisions.

Session Four

• Students examine how a credit score is determined and learn about the consequences of a positive and negative credit report. 

  • Describe the favorable or unfavorable consequences of a high or low personal credit score.

  • Explain actions that cause a credit score to go up or down.

Session Five

• Students learn that life involves risk and that insurance and personal responsibility help to reduce the financial consequences of loss or injury. 

  • Explore the cost and consequence of risk.

  • Explain how insurance provides a method to minimize financial risk.

  • Identify the opportunity cost of having insurance.

  • Assess how personal responsibility plays a part in minimizing risk.