Naomi Forster

ISLP Lesson Plan

Skills Teaching
10/28/2014
Purpose of lesson: To practice investment strategies in a "real-world" scenario.
Instructional Method: Skills Teaching strategy using "Investor Role-Play".
Standards Addressed:
Standard 3: Economics: Acquire the knowledge and economic reasoning skills to make
sound financial decisions (PFL).

Concepts and Skills: 5. Analyze strategic spending, saving and investment options to
achieve the objectives of diversification, liquidity, income and growth.

Objectives:
The learner will demonstrate how investors make appropriate investment decisions
specific to their individual financial goals.

The learner will practice carefully considering the amount of financial risk that they can
tolerate based on life stage and plan for changes in the economic cycles.

The learner will create a plan based on sound economic principles to maximize their
standard of living over time by attempting to realize a profit in their specific portfolio of
investments.

Materials and resources needed:

butcher paper and markers

notes from classroom lectures, worksheets

access to classroom Blackboard page for additional resources

Set:
Until very recently, individuals did not have much choice when it came to saving for
retirement. Historically, workers were employed by the same company for many years, often
that person's entire working career. As the employment environment became more dynamic,
so did an employee's options for saving for retirement. How will career, employer and life
changes affect your investment choices?
Procedures/steps for teaching within the Skills Teaching format
Show a short video to review concepts of diversification, asset classes and investment
objectives.
To model, the teacher will review how asset classes are weighted according to 3 different
investment objectives. Then checking for understanding (5 mins) using a short 'Quickwrite'
exercise asking students to explain, in their own words, the terms, "asset class",
"diversification" and "investment objective". They will "pair-share" their answers.
Questioning Strategies: (25 mins) Students will work in groups of 3-4 in role-play scenarios
where they will act as either the investor or investment advisor. Scaffolded scenarios will

be provided to students so that they may integrate investment concepts in order to

uncover the most "appropriate" investment strategy for each investor's individual
investment goal.
Closure: In student role-play groups each investment scenario and reasoning will be shared
with the class. Rationale and reasoning for investment choices will be explained.