Investing 101
September 19, 2000
Web posted at: 9:19 AM EDT (1319 GMT)
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Objectives:
Students will:
- Identify and define key concepts in the Stock Market.
- Play the Stock Market Game on the Harcourt Website.
- Analyze the value of various stocks.
- Explain how to choose stock investments.
Standards:
Achieve Standards for Mathematics
High schools students should be able to collect, represent and process data through activities of major importance to contemporary society.
National Standards for Social Studies
VII Production, Distribution and Consumption
High school students develop economic perspectives and deeper understanding of key economic concepts and processes through systematic study of a range of economic and sociopolitical systems, with particular emphasis on the examination of domestic and global economic policies.
Materials:
CNNfyi.com article, "Investing 101"
Internet Access
Graph paper
Colored pencils
Suggested time:
1 class period for Introduction, then ongoing throughout the semester
Procedure:
1. Ask the students to identify ways that they save money.
2. Have students read the CNNfyi.com article, "Investing 101"
Then ask:
- What are the differences between long and short-term investing?
- How is A.G. Edwards wooing youngsters to learn about investing in the stock market?
- What does it mean to "own stock"? How can you determine if you are making money in the stock market?
3. Discuss with students how to invest in the stock market and how to "read" the stock market page. Define "bull" and "bear" markets.
4. Explain to your students that they will get a pretend sum of money to develop a portfolio by purchasing and selling stocks. They may buy and sell stocks throughout the game. The object of the game is for their portfolio value to have the largest increase in value. Students must chart their weekly progress using a line graph.
5. Have the students divide up into groups of two to four students. Each group will create a team name and logo, and each must determine which stocks to buy and sell to increase the value of their portfolio.
6. Periodically, have a member from each group report on the team's progress to the class.
Assessment:
Students will participate in Harcourt's Stock Market Game on the Harcourt site throughout the semester.
Accommodations:
Verbal/Linguistic Students can define stock, investing, market index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, short-term investments, long-term investments, and blue-chip companies.
Challenges:
Students can write and illustrate children's books explaining the stock market.
RELATED STORY:
markets & investing: U.S. Stock Markets
RELATED SITES:
Stock Market Game
Investor Education and Assistance
The Stock Market
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