Elective – Personal Finance
Course Overview
Personal Finance is a practical elective designed to equip students with essential knowledge and skills to make informed and effective decisions with financial resources. The course emphasizes real-life application, financial responsibility, and planning for future economic independence. It supports students in developing habits for lifelong financial wellness and economic literacy aligned with Florida financial literacy standards.
Students explore topics such as income and careers, budgeting, saving, credit and debt management, insurance, investing, taxes, and consumer protection through simulations, scenarios, and project-based learning.
Learning Outcomes by Quarter
- Quarter 1: Understand income sources, tax obligations, and career planning; calculate gross and net income.
- Quarter 2: Learn to create personal budgets, analyze spending habits, and develop saving strategies.
- Quarter 3: Explore responsible credit use, loan types, credit scores, and debt management.
- Quarter 4: Investigate insurance, investing fundamentals, consumer rights, and financial goal-setting.
Instructional Methods
Students learn through hands-on simulations (e.g., budgeting software, investing tools), case studies, group projects, and financial planning exercises. The course uses multimedia resources and guest speakers to connect theory to real-world financial decisions and prepare students for responsible adulthood.
Assessment and Grading
| Category | Weight |
|---|---|
| Projects & Financial Plans | 40% |
| Quizzes & Simulations | 25% |
| Reflections & Journals | 15% |
| Class Participation & Discussions | 10% |
| Homework & Daily Practice | 10% |
Florida Standards Alignment
| Topic | Florida Benchmark | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Budgeting | FL.FL.912.F.1.2 | Create a detailed budget and evaluate spending decisions |
| Credit Management | FL.FL.912.F.3.3 | Assess types of credit, loans, and creditworthiness |
| Investing | FL.FL.912.F.4.1 | Compare savings options and investment strategies |
| Consumer Protection | FL.FL.912.F.6.1 | Evaluate consumer rights, fraud, and financial safeguards |
Academic Vocabulary Matrix
| Category | Key Terms | Contextual Application |
|---|---|---|
| Budgeting | Fixed Expenses, Variable Expenses, Emergency Fund | Used in building monthly budgets and tracking expenses |
| Banking & Credit | APR, Credit Score, Loan Term | Applied in analyzing credit offers and loan comparisons |
| Investments | Compound Interest, Diversification, Risk Tolerance | Used in investment simulation and long-term planning |
| Taxes & Insurance | Deduction, Premium, Liability | Discussed in pay stub analysis and insurance scenarios |