Free Financial Literacy Resources for All Ages
April is Financial Literacy Month and we’ve created materials to help you celebrate in your community. Below you’ll find sections of resources organized for librarians, parents, and teachers. We have a toolkit for librarians with downloadable materials, activities, and programming ideas for all ages.
If you have any questions about the materials, please contact our financial literacy staff member Maggie Owen at mowen@illinoistreasurer.gov.
For Librarians
Financial Literacy Month is a great opportunity to highlight books about money and offer programming that connects patrons of all ages with free personal finance resources. If you have any questions about the library toolkit, contact Maggie Owen at mowen@illinoistreasurer.gov.
Story Time for Ages 3-5
Our Money Minded Illinois program offers story times for ages 3-5. You can host your own story time using materials provided below, including a full lesson plan, story time activity packet, and a take home packet. You can also request a staff member from the Treasurer’s Office to visit your library and lead story time (subject to availability).
Children's Reading Lists for Book Displays
Book displays can be a great way to encourage patrons to select a book about financial education concepts. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has created the Money as You Grow Bookshelf for Parents and Caregivers. The list labels books by age group and key ideas covered in the story.
The American Library Association in partnership with the FINRA Investor Education Foundation created a guide for librarians, Thinking Money for All Kids: Diverse and Inclusive Reads to Teach Young People about Money. It includes a reading list for different age groups and programming ideas. Digital games and additional resources can be found on their website.
Activity Packets for Children & Families
The Treasurer’s Office has created activity packets from content in our standards-based curriculum. Packets are organized by grade level (first grade through middle school) and include a cover page with a list of topics included. To cover a range of basics for 6th – 8th grade, we created packets by topic. Packets can be incorporated into a program (ex. game tables organized by grade level), placed next to a book display, sent home with families, and more. Download materials from the Activity Packets section below.
You can also request free print materials from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Some materials include: an activity book, short story books, a chapter book, bookmarks, and more. Allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.
FinWell Hub for Teens & Adults
The Illinois Financial Wellness Hub (FinWell Hub) is an online platform with dynamic tools and courses that provides free personal finance resources to all Illinois residents. FinWell Hub resources are available on-demand via internet browser on your computer or mobile device – no need to download an app. A flyer to promote this free resource is available for download in the FinWell Hub section below.
Passport Challenge
Programming for adults and teens can be built around the FinWell Hub (users must be 13 or older). The Treasurer’s Office created the Personal Finance Foundations Passport to help facilitate this. Patrons complete courses on the FinWell Hub and receive “stamps” in their “passport.” Your library could do a prize drawing – an entry earned with each course completed. Certificates can be downloaded after completing a course if you would like proof of completion. Download a full color or printer friendly version of the passport in the FinWell Hub section below.
Goal Setting Workshop
Your library could provide a financial goal setting workshop for adults, linking back to tools and resources on the FinWell Hub. A goal setting worksheet with SMART goal examples is available for download in the FinWell Hub section below. Presentation slides are available if you would like to host a workshop – contact Maggie Owen at mowen@illinoistreasurer.gov for access.
We hope these materials inspire you to provide financial literacy programming in your local library.
For Parents
Reading List
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has created the Money as You Grow Bookshelf for Parents and Caregivers. The list labels books by age group and key ideas covered in the story. Each book also comes wtih a parent reading guide to help you teach your child money management skills while reading.
Activity Packets
The Treasurer’s Office has created activity packets from content in our standards-based curriculum. Packets are organized by grade level (first grade through middle school) and include a cover page with a list of topics included. To cover a range of basics for 6th – 8th grade, we created packets by topic. Download materials from the Activity Packets section below.
We hope these materials help you have engaging money conversations with your children during Financial Literacy Month and beyond.
For Teachers
Curriculum for Elementary & Middle School
In 2018, the Treasurer’s Office created Money Minded Illinois curriculum books for first grade through middle school. Lessons were created to align with Illinois State Board of Education standards and incorporate inquiry-based learning. You can download free PDF versions of curriculum books from our website or contact MoneyMinded@illinoistreasurer.gov to request a print copy.
Activity Packets for Elementary & Middle School
Activity packets were created to make curriculum material more accessible to parents and community groups. You can download these shortened materials from the Activity Packets section below.
FinWell Hub for High School Students
The Illinois Financial Wellness Hub (FinWell Hub) is an online platform with dynamic tools and courses, which provides free personal finance resources to all Illinois residents. The Treasurer’s Office created resource guides to help high school teachers more easily integrate the platform in the classroom. Guides for personal finance foundations and college prep can be downloaded from the FinWell Hub section below. FinWell Hub users must be 13 years or older.
The Personal Finance Foundations Passport was created to add a fun component. Students complete courses on the FinWell Hub and receive “stamps” in their “passport.” Certificates can be downloaded after completing a course, so teachers can hold students accountable and assign courses as homework. Download a full color or printer friendly version of the passport in the FinWell Hub section below.
We hope these materials help you more easily incorporate financial literacy learning in your classroom.
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