Lesson Plan

Compound Interest: Friend or Foe?

Students will understand compound interest and its dual role in finances, learning how it can work for and against them.

This lesson builds essential financial literacy, empowering students to understand and manage savings, loans, and the impact of compound interest in real-life scenarios.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction to Compound Interest

5 minutes

Step 2

Examples and Discussion

15 minutes

Step 3

Wrap-Up and Q&A

5 minutes

lenny

Slide Deck

Compound Interest: Friend or Foe?

Welcome students to the lesson and provide an engaging introduction. Explain that compound interest works both for savings and loans, and today we'll explore both sides.

Key Terms to Know

Discuss key definitions: principal (initial amount), interest rate (percentage increase), and compounding frequency (how often interest is added) using relatable examples.

How Compound Interest Works

Describe visually how money grows when left to accumulate compound interest and how debts can quickly accumulate with frequent compounding. Use a prepared diagram to help illustrate.

Compound Interest: Savings vs. Loans

Compare a savings account with a loan. Highlight real-life situations such as earning interest through savings and growing debt through high interest loans. Engage the students by asking for examples from their own experience or hypothetical scenarios.

Recap & Q&A

Summarize the dual nature of compound interest and invite the students to ask any questions. Encourage a discussion about responsible financial decisions and the importance of understanding these concepts early.

lenny

Activity

lenny
lenny

Compound Interest: Friend or Foe?

user image

Bryce Bjork

Tier 1
For Districts
lenny-learning-logo

Lenny Learning

Create Lesson

CASEL

Health & Wellness

Behavioral Supports

Counseling & Therapy

Family Engagement

School Climate

Special Education

Academic Integration

Seasonal

Career & Life Skills

Arts & Creativity

My Lessons

My Lessons

Video Library

Video Library

Support

Support

Log In