CM3: Money Management

House of Cards - Credit Card Project

Brief Project Overview:
This project takes a student-centered approach in which students examine credit and how it may affect them and their future. It includes topics such as shopping for and establishing credit, the pitfalls of using credit and the cost of using credit. While this lesson is intended to educate the consumer, and thus all students, there are many career opportunities related to the field of consumer finances. Perhaps this will get the students thinking about a future in a financial career. All necessary worksheets and files are available with this project and can be accessed by clicking on the blue underlined titles.

Appropriate Subjects and Grade Levels
For 10 – 12th grade high school students in the following classes:
Economics
Consumer Education courses
Math
Business
Language Arts

Length of Project
One 55-minute class period for each of the three lessons; the follow-up lesson to Lesson 2 (Understanding Credit Card Terms) requires student work outside of classroom and one additional 55-minute period

Lesson 1: How Credit Card Interest Works
Lesson 2: The Credit Card Trap
Lesson 3: Credit Card Danger and Abuse