Finly Teacher Guide

A curriculum sequence for your classroom

For classrooms and afterschool programs teaching ages 13–17: 82 lessons across four sections, two core tracks, and a 10-question pre- and post-assessment with an answer key.

Download PDFOpen PDF in new tab← Teacher Resources

This guide puts Finly's lesson library into a teaching order. It is built for teachers running a full course, a unit inside another class, or an afterschool pilot.

Every lesson listed here already exists on Finly and can be assigned to a class. The guide doesn't add lesson content. It tells you what to teach, in what order, and which parts you can trim when time is short.

The core of the curriculum

The Economics Track and the Personal Finance Track form the core of the curriculum. Complete both in full, or as close to it as your schedule allows. Foundations and General Application are recommended but flexible: pick from them based on the time you have.

Essentials

48 lessons · 7 hr 58 min of lesson time

Both core tracks plus the recommended Foundations and Application lessons.

Full sequence

82 lessons · 13 hr 20 min of lesson time

Every lesson in all four sections.

How completion is recorded

A lesson counts as complete only when a student finishes its quiz and answers at least half of the multiple-choice questions correctly. Reading the lesson isn't enough on its own: students should open the lesson quiz (the "Open full quiz mode" link at the end of each lesson) before moving on.

The printable guide

The PDF adds pacing, class setup steps, student assessment pages, and the answer key.

The lesson sequence

Minutes are each lesson's own reading estimate. They don't include the lesson quiz or class discussion.

Section 2

Foundations

Flexible · choose by time

The on-ramp: money, choices, and first budgeting and saving ideas. Choose the lessons your students need before the core tracks.

8 lessons · 1 hr 1 min in total · 4 recommended · 31 min

Making Choices with Money is written for ages 8–12. It's included because it is the best treatment of opportunity cost in Finly's library, even though it is tagged for a younger age band. No lesson for ages 13–17 covers the idea in the same depth.

Money & choices

  1. 1What Is Money?Written for ages 8–12Optional7 min
  2. 2Needs vs WantsWritten for ages 8–12Optional7 min
  3. 3Making Choices with MoneyWritten for ages 8–12Recommended7 min

Income & budgeting basics

  1. 4Understanding Your IncomeRecommended8 min
  2. 5The 50/30/20 RuleRecommended8 min
  3. 6Tracking Your MoneyOptional8 min

Saving basics

  1. 7Short vs Long-Term GoalsOptional8 min
  2. 8Emergency FundsRecommended8 min

Section 3

Economics Track

Core · complete in full

From scarcity and markets to the whole economy, government policy, and global trade.

14 lessons · 2 hr 39 min

North Carolina classrooms can add North Carolina in the US and World Economy after Economic Organizations.

Section 4

Personal Finance Track

Core · complete in full

Banking, interest, credit, debt, and the basics of investing.

20 lessons · 3 hr 6 min

Section 5

General Application

Flexible · choose by time

Real-world practice that draws on both core tracks. Start with the recommended lessons and add units that fit your students.

40 lessons · 6 hr 34 min in total · 10 recommended · 1 hr 42 min

Saving & investing strategies

  1. 47The Pay Yourself First MethodRecommended8 min
  2. 48What Net Worth Means and How to Track YoursOptional7 min
  3. 49Starting to Invest as a TeenOptional8 min
  4. 50How to Invest Your First $100Recommended8 min

Everyday banking

  1. 56Opening Your First Bank AccountOptional8 min
  2. 57Digital Banking and FintechOptional8 min