Financial Literacy #5 - Buying a New Computer
Learning Sequence
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Introduction
In this activity, students assist Elise Nguyen, a graphic designer, in choosing a payment method for a crucial career investment. Teachers guide discussions on analysing various financing options for a $5,000 computer on a $20,000 salary.
The focus is on making decisions that won't adversely affect long-term financial health or lifestyle. Students will evaluate outright purchases versus instalment plans, emphasising budget management and the importance of avoiding burdensome debt, fostering responsible financial decision-making skills.
This week, we’re working with Elise Nguyen, a 25-year-old graphic designer who earns $20,000 a year. She needs a new computer for her job, which costs $5,000. Our challenge is to help her decide the best way to pay for it while still keeping her money safe for the future.
We’ll look at different payment options: buying it all at once, paying in small parts (instalments), or using finance. Together, we’ll explore the good and bad sides of each choice, like how it affects her budget and her future savings.
In groups, you’ll talk about which option makes the most sense for Elise. Is it better to get the best computer now, or to be extra careful with her money?
By the end of the week, you’ll build your skills in planning and managing money. You’ll learn about interest, costs, and how decisions today can affect your future.
Let’s help Elise make a smart choice that gives her both a great tool for work and a healthy budget for the future!
Quote of the Week – Galileo Galilei
This weekly segment introduces students to influential mathematicians, encouraging contemplation of their contributions and the profound impact of mathematics on society. The activity of reflecting on and displaying their quotes aims to deepen students' comprehension and appreciation of mathematical thought and its real-world relevance.
Ask the children to discuss the meaning in pairs or in groups and then discuss what all of the opinions of the class are. Maybe there is a student who extra knowledge on the mathematician of ther week.
Each week, we will inspire you with a quote from a famous mathematician. Mathematicians are not just individuals who work with numbers and perform calculations; they are pioneers who have helped shape our modern world and the society we live in.
Every week, we'll explore a different mathematician and learn about their contributions to the world as we know it. Read the words carefully and reflect on what the mathematician meant when they shared these famous words. You may even want to print this quote and place it on the wall in your classroom. There are 10 to collect.
‘Mathematics is literally everywhere you look!’
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Weekly Keywords
Introduce the spelling word list and choose from this list of tasks that can be repeated and expanded upon if necessary.
Copy the words into a spelling list/Vocabulary book for later reference.
Put each of the new words into a sentence and underline the new vocabulary in red pencil
Place the words in alphabetical order in a list.
Use a dictionary to define each of the words and place them into a vocabulary book.
Try to represent each of the words using a picture or a symbol and play the guessing game. (which image is matched to which word)
Write a paragraph containing all of the new vocabulary.
Make a vocabulary wall containing all of the new words.
Use a thesaurus to find synonyms for the words and create a synonym list.
These words will help you during this week’s lesson. You may already know some of these words however, practice makes perfect!
First, read the words and then try to define them as simply as possible. Work with a partner or in a group to decide what each of these terms means.
An example has been completed for you. You can write these into your books, and draw a picture to match or simply complete the task card.
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The Situation – Buying a New Computer
In this activity, students guide graphic designer Elise Nguyen in financing a $5,000 computer with a $20,000 salary. Teachers will help students analyse how different financing options – outright purchase, loans, or instalments – impact Elise's lifestyle and long-term financial health.
The focus is on understanding the trade-offs between immediate debt burden and investing in tools for future career growth. Students learn to evaluate financial decisions, considering both short-term lifestyle impacts and long-term career benefits.
Meet Ms. Elise Nguyen, a young graphic designer getting ready for her new job. She needs a powerful computer, but the big question is: how should she pay for it? Should she buy it all at once, pay in instalments, or use a finance plan?
Your task is to work with your group to think about the pros and cons of each choice. It’s not just about what’s easiest right now – it’s also about interest, repayment, and how her money will be affected in the future.
First, read the information on the task card and jot down some notes. Then, share your ideas with your group. Afterwards, we’ll listen to Dan Lakis and hear how he would solve the problem.
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Weekly Explainer - What is Compound Interest?
Students will step into Elise’s shoes, calculate how compound interest affects her credit card debt, and test different repayment strategies. Focus on building numeracy, problem-solving, and financial reasoning. Encourage collaboration, critical thinking, and reflection on real-world money choices, highlighting the difference between borrowing and saving with compound interest.
This week, we’re going to learn about compound interest. Take a look at the task card opposite, where I’ll explain exactly how it works. I’ll also walk you through one of the examples from this week’s Situation so you can see it in action.
Once you understand the way iot works maybe calculate the next 6 months for Elise or try looking at what it would look like for her is she paid more of the money off each month.
Compound interest is really good if you’re saving but it can mean big trouble if you are in debt.
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Collecting the Facts
In this lesson, students practise identifying key information in word problems through a scenario about mortgage choices.
They will learn to extract important data from a story and apply mathematical calculations, building skills in practical problem-solving and developing a deeper understanding of real-life financial decisions.
Before you choose the best option in this week’s scenario, you need to gather the key information.
Sometimes the important numbers are tucked away inside the story.
Work together with your group to complete the sheet by reading closely, answering the questions, and doing the calculations. These results will guide you towards a smart decision in the next stage of learning.
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Decision Time – Rubric and Discussion
In this lesson, students will practise decision-making using a rubric, scoring each option on a scale of 1–5. They will weigh up both the numbers and wider issues such as ethics, helping them see that good choices involve more than just maths.
This activity builds critical thinking, financial awareness, and ethical reasoning in a practical and engaging way.
To choose the best option, you’ll need to look at all the factors, not just the numbers. While the maths shows us a lot, there are always other things to think about too.
Use the rubric opposite to score each option from 1–5, then total the scores at the bottom. Finally, discuss with your group: does your top choice also make sense when you think about fairness, ethics, and the wider community?
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Real World Learning – Earn Your Own Money
In this lesson, students will explore independence and financial literacy by selecting one of 100 suggested ways to earn money. Using the task card, they will choose an idea that interests them, try it out, and reflect on whether to continue or try another.
This activity builds problem-solving, creativity, and resilience, while also encouraging students to connect effort with reward. It helps them practise decision-making and self-reflection, and may even spark inspiration for future career paths.
This time, you’ll be using the task card to choose one of the 100 different ways we’ve suggested for earning your own money. Think carefully and pick an idea that excites you—something you’d enjoy doing and maybe even love.
Once you’ve made your choice, try it out! You might decide it’s a great fit and keep going, or you might realise you’d rather try another option. That’s okay—experimenting is part of the journey.
Who knows? The small job you choose today might even turn out to be something you’d like to do in the future as a career.
At the end, we’ll share our experiences: which ideas worked best, what challenges came up, and what you discovered about yourself. It’s a practical way to build independence, creativity, and financial confidence.
Show us the Result
This activity gives students the chance to celebrate and reflect on their entrepreneurial efforts. After choosing a money-making idea and saving towards a personal goal, students will share the outcome with their peers.
They should explain what they bought, how much money they earned, and, if possible, provide a photo with their purchase.The aim is to highlight the value of persistence, delayed gratification, and responsible money choices. By showcasing their achievements, students gain pride in their work and inspire others to set and reach their own goals. Teachers should encourage a positive atmosphere of celebration, emphasising that self-care and rewarding oneself are also important aspects of financial wellbeing.
When you’ve finally earned enough money to buy the item you really wanted, we’d love to hear your story! Tell us what you bought, how much money you earned, and share a photo of you with your new possession.
We celebrate success stories like this because they show what’s possible when you set a goal and stick with it. And remember, there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself to something special. Self-care and appreciation also mean valuing yourself.
Well done — we’re proud of you!
Guided Writing - Writing A Speech
In this activity, students will prepare and deliver a speech on the importance of being money smart. The focus is on helping an audience understand how to decide whether borrowing money is sensible or if it is better to wait and save for what is needed.
Students should first choose their audience (e.g., younger students, their own class, or a school assembly), then read the example speech provided. This will guide their structure and tone. They will then draft their own speech, tailoring it to their chosen audience, and practise reading it aloud.
The aim is to build public speaking skills, encourage financial awareness, and develop the ability to adapt communication for different audiences while reinforcing key learning about responsible money choices.
You are now going to prepare a speech for another class or an assembly. The key message is about being money smart: how to decide if borrowing money is a good idea or whether it’s better to wait and save up for what you need.
Steps to follow:
Choose your audience first – Will you speak to younger students, your own class, or the whole school? Your choice will guide how you write.
Read the example speech opposite before you begin. It will show you how to structure your ideas.
Write your own speech in your own words. Make it clear, interesting, and suitable for your chosen audience.
Practise delivering it out loud. Think about your tone, pace, and body language.
Present your speech to the audience you selected.
Remember: The aim is to educate others about making wise money decisions.
Weekly Inspiration – The Suns in our Universe
This week, children will watch a short video explainer about the largest suns in our universe, including UY Scuti.
The aim is to spark awe, curiosity, and wonder as they compare Earth, our Sun, and gigantic stars, helping them grasp scale while inspiring big questions about space.
After exploring percentage growth this week, we’re going to finish our learning sequence with an amazing story that will truly bend your brain!
Listen to the video opposite and discover how something as simple as folding a piece of paper can grow into something bigger than the moon! This is the power of exponential growth — where numbers double and double again, getting HUGE in just a few steps.
As you listen to the Story of the Magical Folding Paper, think about how you could use this idea in your own life — in savings, in learning, or in changing the world one step at a time!
Your Quiz and Certificate
This final step builds reflection, recall, and self-assessment skills. The quiz reinforces students’ understanding of interest, budgeting, and financial decision-making while rewarding their effort with certification. Encourage learners to view the certificate as a symbol of their growing financial awareness, not just a score.
Consider reviewing key money concepts beforehand, offering support where needed, and celebrating every student’s achievement. Extension: invite learners to share one way they will apply smarter money choices in their own lives to strengthen lasting impact.
You have explored the world of financial decision-making — learning how interest, budgeting, and careful planning can shape a secure future. To celebrate your progress, you will now complete a short quiz on the skills and lessons you’ve gained.
If you achieve 80% or more, you will proudly receive your certificate. This is a way of honouring the responsibility, problem-solving, and financial awareness you have demonstrated throughout this course.
