Welcome to Teaching Financial Literacy 

According to the National Task Force on Financial Literacy, "financial literacy is having the knowledge to understand personal and broader financial matters, skills to apply that knowledge and understanding to everyday life, and the confidence to use the skills and knowledge to make responsible financial decisions that are appropriate to the individual’s situation."

 - National Task Force on Financial Literacy, 2009 

Ontario students will have the skills and knowledge to take responsibility for managing their personal financial well-being with confidence, competence, and a compassionate awareness of the world around them. “- A Sound Investment: Financial Literacy Education in Ontario Schools, 2010

The biggest stumbling blocks I hear about not teaching financial literacy, is summed up into two main thoughts: lack of money and lack of expertise.  Many teachers express concern in an already packed curriculum, how to do I find the time? Others are unsure of whether they possess the skills necessary to teach financial literacy now while both are legitimate concerns but they need not be.

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada has full curriculum lesson and material for you, whether you spend a month or just a few hours, the three course materials will suit your needs.

Teaching Financial Literacy does not require full lessons (but you could) but rather a change of mindset. It is looking at your curriculum through a financial lens and changing examples and minds-on activities to relate to financial literacy elements. 

Finally, as the Nike ad says-- "Just Do it"

Jeff Balch