Most financial education reaches students when they're already drowning in student loans. By then, the damage is done. A team of educators just flipped that model on its head—starting financial independence concepts in pre-K, years before those critical money decisions get made.
Jonathan Mendonsa, alongside educators Danielle Mendoza, Rob Beeland, and Mandy Burt, introduce a K-12 financial literacy curriculum that spans from pre-K through high school. The curriculum covers essential financial concepts using a backward design approach, ensuring lessons are accessible to teachers without a finance background. With resources provided at no cost, the team reflects on the collaborative effort to create a comprehensive, user-friendly curriculum targeting communities that have historically lacked this knowledge.
Key Topics Discussed
-
Introduction of Financial Literacy Curriculum
Overview of the new free financial literacy curriculum targeting K-12 students. -
Building the Curriculum
The collaborative effort among educators to craft a comprehensive, accessible curriculum. -
Activities in the Curriculum
Engaging activities such as meal planning to teach budgeting and financial decision-making. -
Integrating the Curriculum
Strategies for educators to incorporate financial literacy into existing subjects and standards. -
Accessing and Implementing the Curriculum
How teachers can access and implement the curriculum in their classrooms.
Key Insights
-
Financial Literacy Importance
Financial literacy education can significantly impact students' futures, empowering them to make informed financial decisions. -
Curriculum Availability
The curriculum is freely accessible and designed to be user-friendly for educators without finance backgrounds. -
Backward Design Approach
The curriculum employs a backward design model to align financial concepts with K-12 standards, ensuring relevance and ease of integration.
Key Quotes
- "FI 101: A free course for mastering financial independence."
- "Our financial literacy curriculum will always be available for free."
- "Our goal is to distribute valuable financial lessons widely."
Chapter Markers
- Introduction of Financial Literacy Curriculum
- Building the Curriculum
- Activities in the Curriculum
- Integrating the Curriculum
- Accessing and Implementing the Curriculum
Resources
Top Travel Card
Ready to unlock a world of free travel? Start with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
$95 annual fee | Earn 75,000 bonus points
Best Card for Side Hustlers and Business Owners
Side hustlers! With the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card you can earn free travel from your business expenses.
$95 annual fee | Earn 100,000 bonus points
Most Flexible Travel Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card can be used to offset almost any travel expense.
$95 annual fee | 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
ChooseFI has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. ChooseFI and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.