Economic and financial institutions

Learners deal with financial decisions and their effects. They reflect on how expenditure and income are interrelated and develop strategies for conscious money management.

Content and methods:

Using a fictitious example, learners immerse themselves in the life of a person who is confronted with financial challenges. They analyze how they handle money, identify possible misconduct and work in groups to develop solutions to improve their financial situation. Ideas for increasing income, reducing expenditure, reducing debt and long-term planning are collected and discussed.

Skills:

• Reflective approach to money and consumer behavior
• Problem-solving skills and strategic thinking
• Cooperation and communication in groups
• Developing long-term financial goals

Target group and level:

grade 8 and above

Students understand why companies need capital in different phases of their life cycle and what financing options are available to them. They learn to differentiate between equity and debt financing and develop an awareness of the advantages and disadvantages of different forms of financing.

Contents and methods:

The worksheet begins with an introduction to the TV show “The Shark Tank” to illustrate the importance of raising capital for companies. Learners analyze what companies need money for in different phases (start-up, expansion, day-to-day business, crises). They find out about one type of financing in detail and learn about the advantages and disadvantages.

Competencies:

• Analytical thinking and problem solving
• Application of basic economic knowledge
• Decision-making skills and risk awareness
• Reflection on the importance of financing strategies

Target group and level:

Grade 9 and above

The students deal with attitudes towards money and reflect on how beliefs influence financial behavior. They learn strategies to develop a positive money mindset.

Content and methods:

The worksheet starts with a task to test prior knowledge. It then explains what a money mindset is and how it is shaped by experience. By analyzing negative and positive thought patterns, the students recognize the influence these have on financial decisions. A case study enables them to develop concrete solutions for a person with a negative money mindset.

Competencies:

Recognizing thought patterns and their impact on finances

Developing solution strategies for a positive financial mindset

Target group:

Grade 9 and above

Learners deal with economic changes caused by inflation or deflation and understand their causes and effects on everyday life. They learn to analyze and apply economic terms and relationships. In doing so, they reflect on how economic developments can affect different population groups.

Content and methods:

Dialogs and examples based on everyday life facilitate the introduction to the topic. Learners learn how inflation and deflation affect everyday life and take a critical look at the consequences. The causes and effects of economic developments are explained with the help of videos, texts and realistic scenarios.

Learners deepen their understanding in various task formats such as multiple-choice questions and text analyses.

Competencies:

• Understanding of basic economic concepts and relationships
• Critical thinking and questioning of economic developments
• Analyzing and evaluating information from different sources
• Arguing and discussing in groups

Target group and level:

Grade 9 and above

Learners learn about different currencies and understand their importance for the economy. In doing so, they develop a better understanding of how currencies relate to each other and what influence they have on global trade.

Content and methods:

The worksheet introduces different currencies by means of a multiple-choice quiz. Learners then work out the characteristics of a particular currency in detail and record the information in a fact sheet.

Skills:

• Economic understanding of different currencies
• Analytical thinking: Comparing and evaluating the characteristics of currencies

Target group and level:

Grade 8 and above

Learners acquire a basic understanding of different financial investments. They learn to evaluate opportunities and risks and develop suitable investment strategies for different types of investors.

Content and methods:

Using a practical scenario, learners slip into the role of investment advisors and develop suitable investment strategies for different customer profiles. Theoretical principles are combined with interactive tasks such as portfolio composition and reflection questions.

Competencies:

• Understanding of investments and financial markets
• Critical analysis of opportunities and risks
• Development and justification of investment strategies
• Application of basic economic knowledge to real-life scenarios

Target group and level:

Grade 10 and above

Learners take a critical look at financial decisions and develop an understanding of the opportunities and risks of investments. They learn to make well-founded decisions and analyze different perspectives.

Content and methods:

Using a fictitious person and their financial situation, learners develop the basics of investing. They analyze the advantages and disadvantages, deal with myths and facts and reflect on their own attitudes to the topic. This is done through text analyses and decision-making tasks..

Competencies:

• Financial literacy and decision-making skills
• Critical thinking and argumentation
• Information analysis and evaluation

Target group and level:

Grade 10 and above

Learners understand the basics of tax returns and work out which income and expenses are relevant for tax purposes. They deal with the tax return process by helping a fictitious person.

Content and methods:

The worksheet guides students step-by-step through the preparation of a tax return using a practical example. They analyze different types of costs, evaluate their deductibility and reflect on the importance of taxes for employees. They deepen their knowledge through interactive tasks and a sample calculation.

Competencies:

• Understanding of the German tax system
• Analysis of tax deductibility and its effects
• Application of economic knowledge to everyday life
• Critical reflection on financial planning

Target group and level:

Grade 10 and above

Students learn about the role that taxes play in society and deal with a specific type of tax. They recognize the importance of tax revenues for public services and reflect on their impact on everyday life.

Content and methods:

The worksheet begins with a puzzle to introduce the topic of taxes. The students then work out what taxes are and what significance they have. They deepen their knowledge by looking at a specific type of tax - such as income tax - and analyzing its characteristics. They can adapt the worksheet flexibly for different types of tax.

Skills:

• Understanding the function and significance of taxes
• Analysis of a specific type of tax and its characteristics
• Reflection on the social impact of tax revenues

Target group:

Grade 9 and above

The students deal with the various functions of taxes and recognize their importance for the state and society. The worksheet looks at the steering function of taxes in detail, but can be adapted so that another tax function - such as the financing, redistribution or stabilization function - is dealt with instead.

Contents and methods:

The worksheet begins with a thought experiment: The students imagine living in a country without taxes and consider what impact this would have on their daily lives. They then learn about one function of taxes in detail. The students analyze the opportunities and risks of this function and reflect on whether and under what conditions a tax with this objective makes sense.

Skills:

• Understanding the various tax functions
• Detailed examination of a specific tax function
• Analysis of the effects of tax measures
• Reflection on the role of taxes in society

Target group:

Grade 9 and above

Students understand how exchange rates work and which factors influence their fluctuations. They recognize the effects on different groups of people such as entrepreneurs, consumers and tourists.

Content and methods:

The worksheet introduces the topic with an everyday situation and encourages reflection. The students work on the causes of exchange rate fluctuations (e.g. supply and demand, interest rates, inflation) and their economic consequences. Using case studies, they analyze how exchange rates influence companies, consumption and travel.

Competencies:

• Basic economic understanding
• Analysis of exchange rate factors
• Application to everyday situations

Target group:

Grade 9 and above