Fifth Grade

Our Fifth Grade curriculum ties into the Social Studies learning standards theme of "Our Nation, Our World."  By the end of the lessons, students should be able to see how technology is changing money, the role government plays in earning income, including how relationships with other countries can have an impact on workers. Additionally, students will learn about interest and credit cards. By teaching this unit, all Financial Literacy and Economics standards are met, coupled with many of the inquiry standards as well.

Introduction to Curriculum

Letter from the Treasurer

Curriculum Unit- You can download the entire unit as a booklet at this link.

If you would like to view the unit broken down into invidividual lessons and activities, please see below.

Lesson 1 Lesson Plan

Supporting Question #1

• Reading for Information: Advancing Technologies
• Civic Currency Investigation
• Investigation about Money
• Imagine If Activity
• Digital Currency Activity
• Digital Currency Teacher Key
• The Future of Money

Supporting Question #2

• Reading for Information- Global Currencies
• World's Most Tradable Currencies Investigation
• Travel Brochure
• Letter Tiles Puzzle
• Letter Tiles Puzzle Answer Key

Supporting Question #3

• Reading Activity- The Federal Reserve System
• Reading Activity- Security Measure
• World's Most Secure Banks Investigation
• Storyboard
• Alphabet Challenge
• Boggler Puzzle
• Boggler Puzzle Answer Key

Lesson 2 Lesson Plan

Supporting Question #1

• Reading for Information- What Are Taxes?
• Reading for Information- How Are Taxes used?
• Lottery Ticket Investigation
• Tax Calculations
• Government Shutdown Brochure?
• Venn Diagram
• Card Sort for Students
• Card Sort Teacher Instructions

Supporting Question #2

• Reading for Information- International Trade
• Reading for Information- Intellectual Property 
• Illinois Exports and Jobs Investigation Activity
• Connect/Extend/Challenge
• Counterfeit Product Awareness Campaign
• 3Ys Activity

Supporting Question #3

• Reading for Information- Specialization and Trade
• Reading for Information- Earning a Day's Wage
• Investigation Activity Part I- Where is My Clothing Made?
• Investigation Activity Part II- Apparel Wages in Other Countries
• Discuss, Debate, Vote

Lesson 3 Lesson Plan

Supporting Question #1

• Reading for Information- Personal Debt
• Reading for Information- Credit Cards
• Reading for Information- Personal Savings
• Reading for Information- Choices about Money
• Investigation Activity- Card Options
• Credit Card Activity
• How Do You Compare Activity
• My Financial Vision Board
• Writing Prompt

Supporting Question #2

• Reading for Information- Incentives
• Teenager and Advertising Activity
• Investigation Activity- Incentives
• Incentives Puzzle
• Incentives Puzzle Answer Key
• Pop-Up Ads Activity

Supporting Question #3

• Reading for Information- Personal Finance and Technology
• Reading for Information- Blockchain
• Reading for Information- Instant Gratification
• Cryptocurrency Investigation
• Digital Money Investigation and Debate
• Consumer Awareness Alert

Reflect

• Fallen Phrase Puzzle
• Fallen Phrase Answer Key