Using Credit Wisely
Invite your students to explore how credit cards work, how much credit card interest rates can cost them, and how credit scores can impact them. During class activities, students will:
- Graph and analyze relationships between credit scores and interest rates (Math)
- How behavioral economics influence decisions (English Language Arts)
- How personal and government budgeting differ (Social Studies)
- Compare benefits and trade offs of different payment options (Family and Consumer Sciences and Business)
For Educators
Make Credit “Interest”ing for Students
This video provides strategies for fostering student understanding of different types of credit, credit scores and interest rates.
Companion Video for Students
What is Credit, and How do You Use It
Use this video to introduce students to the concept of financial credit and how it can be used responsibly to help people purchase items they want or need.
Classroom Activities
Interest Adds Up
Show your students how credit scores impact interest rates as they calculate and graph these factors relating to monthly loan payments
Credit Cards: How Are They Different?
Students participate in a jigsaw activity to evaluate different types of credit card offerings and rewards followed by deciding which card provides the most value.
Interest Rates: Not Just for Consumers
Help students analyze the dynamic relationship between the federal funds rate and interest rates for borrowers and savers.
Charge It?
How are credit cards different from debit cards? Students assess recent family purchases, then work in groups to complete a graphic organizer of payment options.