Lesson
The Power of Starting Early
Summary
When it comes to saving for the future, time is the most important asset. Learn about compound interest and the role of time in your financial success.
Bellringer: Million or Magic Penny?
- Pose the scenario: $1 million today or a penny that doubles for 30 days?
- Reveal the penny grows to $5.3 million — set up compounding.
Instruction
- Define compounding as "interest on interest"
- Show why starting early beats saving more later
- Teach the Rule of 72
Discussion: Barriers to Starting
- Ask what prevents students from opening a savings account today
- Push them to imagine their 25-, 40-, and 60-year-old selves
Activity: Retirement Simulation & Pretest
- Students complete the Retirement pretest in Banzai
- Begin the first 20 years of Retirement: The Elephant in the Room
Wrap-Up & Assessment
- What is the difference between simple and compound interest?
- If an account has a 6% interest rate, how many years does it take to double?
| Est. Time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 5 min | Bellringer: Million or Magic Penny? |
|
| 10 min | Instruction |
|
| 5 min | Discussion: Barriers to Starting |
|
| 20 min | Activity: Retirement Simulation & Pretest |
|
| 5 min | Wrap-Up & Assessment |
|
Lesson Prep
Retirement: The Elephant in the Room Pretest
Assess what students know before beginning the Retirement game.
Retirement: The Elephant in the Room
Students practice saving for retirement over 40 years.
Class Presentation
Includes a 15-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 8: Saving for Retirement
The Power of Starting Early
When it comes to saving for the future, time is the most important asset. Learn about compound interest and the role of time in your financial success.
Risk, Reward, & Diversification
Higher returns demand higher risk — there's no shortcut around that tradeoff. This lesson explores how diversification, risk tolerance, and time horizon shape smart investing decisions for beginners.
Retirement Plans
Total compensation isn't just wages or salary earned. Explore how employer-sponsored retirement plans, matches, and payroll deductions quietly build wealth over a career.
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