Lesson
The Case for Investing
Summary
Buying a company's product doesn't make you an owner — owning a slice of it does. This lesson introduces stocks, shares, and how supply and demand drive prices on Wall Street.
Bellringer: Owning 1% of a Company
- Pose the 1% ownership scenario.
- Surface the gap between being a customer and being a shareholder.
Instruction
- Define investing, stocks, shares, IPOs, and ticker symbols.
- Connect supply and demand to stock price movement.
Discussion: Scale vs. Control
- Run the CEO's Dilemma vote and reality check.
- Land on passive income and the power of owning a slice of scale.
Activity: Stock Market Showdown
- Launch the Stock Market Showdown pretest.
- Begin gameplay — students manage a portfolio.
Wrap-Up & Assessment
- What is a share?
- What is the main difference between saving and investing?
| Est. Time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 5 min | Bellringer: Owning 1% of a Company |
|
| 12 min | Instruction |
|
| 8 min | Discussion: Scale vs. Control |
|
| 17 min | Activity: Stock Market Showdown |
|
| 3 min | Wrap-Up & Assessment |
|
Lesson Prep
Stock Market Showdown Pretest
Assess student knowledge before the Stock Market Showdown simulation.
Stock Market Showdown
Students compete in a stock market simulation managing portfolio risk.
Class Presentation
Includes an 18-slide deck with teacher notes. Present from Banzai, download a PDF, or copy it to Google Slides.
Presentations, Ready to Go
- Built-in PresentationPresent full screen, straight from Banzai
- Copy to Google SlidesMake an editable copy for your class
- Download or PrintSave as a PDF or print
- Teacher NotesSlide-by-slide guidance, printable as one handout
Unit 7: Investing Basics
The Case for Investing
Buying a company's product doesn't make you an owner — owning a slice of it does. This lesson introduces stocks, shares, and how supply and demand drive prices on Wall Street.
Investment Types
Owning a company and lending to one aren't the same financial bet—and that distinction shapes every dollar on Wall Street. This lesson unpacks stocks, bonds, index funds, ETFs, and the active-vs-passive debate that decides who actually keeps the gains.
Wealth Accelerators
Time is the fastest path to wealth, not total compensation. This lesson explores the mechanics that quietly turn small, boring deposits into a nest egg, covering the cost of waiting, dividends, and dollar-cost averaging.
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