Consumer Education

8th Grade / Mr. Armstrong / Erie Middle School

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This class is a starting point for what you will look at more in your high school Consumer Ed. class. You may
see more-so in this class, than any other that you take, why what we learn about matters. Its primary goal
is to help prepare you for your life after high school...and we all know you’re looking forward to that!

Here’s what we’ll learn about:

1. The Purpose of Money

a. How do YOU use it?
b. What are YOUR financial ($) goals?
2. Career Planning & Getting a Job
a. How can you begin to plan for possible careers?
b. How do you get a job?
3. Banking 101
a. What are different ways to pay for things?
b. What are the roles of banks?
4. Being a Smart Consumer
a. What is a budget & how do you make one?
b. How does your spending affect others?
5. Economics
a. What is the Stock Market? Why does it matter?
b. What are the basics to know about business?
c. What does it mean to be an entrepreneur?
d. What should I know about the national and global economy?
 Consumer Education
This course will cover the majority of the Economics & Financial Literacy Standards for grades
6-8 from the Illinois State Social Studies Standards as seen below.