Our Workshops

Interactive 2-hour sessions that transform how students see math

Workshop Details

Duration

2 hours of engaging, hands-on learning

Target Audience

Elementary and middle school students (grades 6-9)

Location

We come directly to your school

Cost

Completely FREE for all schools

Curriculum Covered

Lesson 1: Different Kinds of Bank Accounts

Students will understand different types of bank accounts (Chequing, Savings, TFSA, RRSP) and which accounts are best for different scenarios.

Topics Covered:

  • Chequing Accounts: Used for daily expenses and transactions; student accounts often have no monthly fees
  • Savings Accounts: Set money aside and earn interest over time for short-term goals
  • High Interest Savings Accounts (HISA): Higher interest rates, ideal for leaving money untouched
  • Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA): Investment account with tax-free income
  • Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP): Tax-deductible contributions for long-term savings

Activity:

Bank account simulation game where students manage $100 per "month" across different accounts, draw scenario cards (bubble tea purchases, car repairs, interest growth), and compete to maximize their total savings.

Lesson 2: Basic Financial Math Models

Students will learn how money grows or shrinks over time through interest, understand credit and debit, and grasp appreciation and depreciation.

Topics Covered:

  • Interest Calculations: Simple interest with examples like bank savings, credit card debt, or loans
  • Credit vs Debit: How spending on credit differs from debit; fees, interest, and impact on financial health
  • Appreciation vs Depreciation: How assets gain or lose value over time with practical examples
  • Practice Problems: Calculate interest earned on savings, interest owed on loans, and asset value changes

Lesson 3: Debt Management

Students will understand different types of debt, how they work, and strategies for managing them responsibly.

Topics Covered:

  • Student Loans: Government loans vs personal loans, interest rates, repayment options
  • Mortgages: Principal, interest, down payment, open vs closed, fixed vs variable rates
  • Credit Cards: Borrowing limits, minimum payments, interest accrual, importance of paying on time
  • Credit Score: What affects it and why it matters for future financial decisions

Activity:

Students analyze printed "student profiles" with tuition, living costs, job options, and scholarships. Teams calculate total debt and determine which student made the best financial decisions.

Lesson 4: Investments

Students will understand how investments grow over time, the role of tax-advantaged accounts, and how to evaluate appreciation and depreciation of assets.

Topics Covered:

  • Introduction to Investing: Putting money into something that can grow in value
  • TFSA vs RRSP: Tax-free growth vs tax deductions for retirement savings
  • Types of Investments: Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and cash explained simply
  • Risk vs Reward: Understanding safer investments vs higher-return options
  • Appreciation & Depreciation: How different assets change in value over time

Activity:

Market simulation game where teams manage item cards (cars, antiques, watches) with market values. They respond to market events, calculate appreciation/depreciation, trade items strategically, and compete for highest total value.

Lesson 5: Financial Abuse

Students will recognize financial abuse, identify warning signs, and learn ways to protect themselves or others.

Topics Covered:

  • What is Financial Abuse: When someone uses money or financial control to manipulate or harm another person
  • Warning Signs: Recognizing red flags in financial relationships and control dynamics
  • Legal Rights: Understanding support organizations and reporting options
  • Case Studies: Real-world scenarios to identify and respond to financial abuse

Activity:

Teams analyze scenarios and use beanbag toss to categorize situations as "Safe/Normal" or "Potential Risk for Financial Abuse," developing decision-making skills in a fun, interactive format.

Workshop Activities

Bank Account Station

Simulation game involving financial scenarios to manage currency across different bank accounts with scenario cards and strategic decision-making.

Student Loan Analysis

Teams analyze student profiles with tuition, living costs, and income sources to calculate total debt and identify best financial decisions.

Market Simulation

Teams manage item portfolios, respond to market events, calculate appreciation/depreciation, and trade strategically to maximize value.

Credit Score Building

Interactive scenario-based activity where students learn how everyday financial decisions impact credit scores using real-world examples.

Financial Safety Challenge

Teams identify financial abuse warning signs through scenario analysis and decision-making activities.

Interest Calculations

Students solve real-world interest problems related to savings, loans, and credit to understand how money grows or shrinks over time.

Ready to Book a Workshop?

Bring Making Cents of Math to your middle school and give your students the tools they need for financial success!

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