Business & Finance Course Plan for Multi-Age Homeschool Group (Grades K–5)
Overview
This 4-week course introduces students to the concepts of Business and Finance through the mentor text Civic Square: The Grand Opening. Each week focuses on a different aspect of business, integrating literacy, math, and social studies skills into hands-on activities and practical simulations. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of real-world economic roles, encouraging collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking through weekly STEM Builder’s Blueprint Challenges.
Week 1: Business & Finance
Objective: Understand basic business concepts and create a store design with a budget.
Lesson 1: Introduction to Business
- Activity: Read Civic Square: The Grand Opening (Chapter 1) and discuss what a business is.
- Skills: Reading comprehension, vocabulary (defining terms like business, revenue).
- GSE Standards: ELA.K12.EE.1.1, MATH.K12.MP.2
Lesson 2: Types of Businesses
- Activity: Create a mind map of local businesses.
- Skills: Identifying different types of businesses, writing descriptive sentences.
- GSE Standards: ELA.3.R.1.1, MATH.3.MP.5
Lesson 3: Store Design
- Activity: Design a storefront on paper with labels for different sections (e.g., products).
- Skills: Art integration, spatial awareness.
- GSE Standards: ELA.2.W.3.1, MATH.2.G.3
Lesson 4: Budgeting Basics
- Activity: Create a simple budget for opening a store, using sample prices.
- Skills: Understanding addition and subtraction, budgeting.
- GSE Standards: MATH.K12.MP.4, MATH.3.NF.A.1
Lesson 5: Present Your Store
- Activity: Present store designs to the class, explaining key features and budget.
- Skills: Verbal communication, public speaking.
- GSE Standards: ELA.2.SL.1.1
Week 2: Bank Careers
Objective: Explore different careers in banking and create a savings tracker.
Lesson 1: Introduction to Banking
- Activity: Discuss the purpose of banks and how they help businesses and individuals.
- Skills: Vocabulary and comprehension.
- GSE Standards: ELA.1.R.1.1
Lesson 2: Bank Careers Overview
- Activity: Research and present on different bank jobs (teller, loan officer, manager).
- Skills: Writing and research skills.
- GSE Standards: ELA.5.W.1.3
Lesson 3: Savings and Interest
- Activity: Create a simple savings tracker to monitor savings using a paper bank account.
- Skills: Understanding addition and basic multiplication.
- GSE Standards: MATH.3.OA.A.1
Lesson 4: Bank Booth Simulation
- Activity: Set up a mock bank booth to roleplay banking scenarios with peers.
- Skills: Roleplay, social skills, practical math (calculating deposits).
- GSE Standards: ELA.3.SL.1.1
Lesson 5: Reflective Journals
- Activity: Write a reflection on what they learned about banks and careers.
- Skills: Writing and self-assessment.
- GSE Standards: ELA.4.W.3.3
Week 3: Investment & Stock Market
Objective: Understand investments and create a tracking graph for stocks.
Lesson 1: Introduction to Investments
- Activity: Discuss what investments are and how they can grow money.
- Skills: Reading comprehension, discussion skills.
- GSE Standards: ELA.2.R.1.2
Lesson 2: The Stock Market Basics
- Activity: Learn about stocks and their importance; explore fictional stocks in a mini-market.
- Skills: Basic financial literacy.
- GSE Standards: MATH.4.NF.B.3
Lesson 3: Tracking Investments
- Activity: Create a tracking sheet or graph for a mock investment in companies.
- Skills: Using graphing and data visualization.
- GSE Standards: MATH.5.MD.B.2
Lesson 4: Group Stock Simulation
- Activity: Form teams to simulate buying and selling stocks based on fictional market scenarios.
- Skills: Teamwork, strategic thinking.
- GSE Standards: ELA.3.SL.1.2
Lesson 5: Market Reflection Journals
- Activity: Journal about the experience of investing and what they have learned.
- Skills: Reflective writing and personal growth.
- GSE Standards: ELA.4.W.3.3
Week 4: Insurance Careers
Objective: Learn about insurance careers and develop an insurance claim writing process.
Lesson 1: Understanding Insurance
- Activity: Discuss the purpose of insurance with examples (health, auto).
- Skills: Vocabulary, reading comprehension.
- GSE Standards: ELA.2.R.1.1
Lesson 2: Types of Insurance Careers
- Activity: Research different jobs in the insurance field and their responsibilities.
- Skills: Research and presentation.
- GSE Standards: ELA.5.W.2.2
Lesson 3: Writing an Insurance Claim
- Activity: Learn how to write an insurance claim and roleplay the process.
- Skills: Writing structured sentences and informative texts.
- GSE Standards: ELA.4.W.2.1
Lesson 4: Create an Insurance Plan
- Activity: Create an imaginary insurance plan for a family, discussing the coverage needed.
- Skills: Critical thinking and strategic planning.
- GSE Standards: MATH.4.NF.B.4
Lesson 5: Final Presentations
- Activity: Present insurance plans and share insights from the month’s learning.
- Skills: Public speaking and peer assessment.
- GSE Standards: ELA.3.SL.1.1
Monthly Wrap-Up
By the end of this course, students will have applied their reading, writing, grammar, and math skills to role-play as professionals in the world of Business & Finance. Evidence of learning will include:
- Weekly Writing Journals: Reflective thoughts on lessons learned.
- Completed Task Checklists: Monitoring task completion.
- Math and Grammar Skill Applications: Demonstrating skills through various activities.
- Final Presentation: A market showcase or civic simulation.
Students will reflect on their understanding of financial decision-making and demonstrate growth across both academic and creative disciplines.