The Bank of Canada Museum has launched a new educational resource titled "You Are the Economy." This free suite of six lesson plans is aimed at Grade 7–12 students across Canada, focusing on economic and financial literacy. The resource is available in both official languages and aligns with the latest Canadian curricula.
"You Are the Economy" aims to make economics and personal finance more accessible for students and educators. It uses creative teaching methods such as comic strips, card games, data visualization tools, and infographics to explain complex subjects in an engaging manner.
Stacy Wakeford, Director of the Bank of Canada Museum, stated: “Financial and economic literacy are essential life skills for today’s students. With the You Are the Economy lesson plans, we aim to empower young Canadians with the knowledge they need to navigate and shape the future of the economy. This resource is not just about learning; it’s about inspiring students to become active, informed participants in their financial futures.”
The lessons were developed with input from Bank of Canada economists, external experts, and educators. They support multiple subject areas including social science, geography, business, and economics. The resource aims to develop critical thinking, decision-making, data literacy, and money management skills among students.
The six interactive lessons include:
- "Thinking Like an Economist": Introduces foundational economic concepts using comic strips.
- "Building Budgets": Offers tips on saving and spending while challenging students to balance a household budget.
- "Connecting Canadian Industries": Explores different industries in Canada's economy through games.
- "Decoding Canadian Economic Data": Develops data literacy by interpreting charts and graphs.
- "Tracing Canada’s Place in the World": Uses a data visualization tool to explain Canada's role in the global economy.
- "Investing Wisely": Guides students in making investment decisions based on personal priorities.
Each lesson includes detailed plans, activities, worksheets, and comprehensive answer keys. The full suite of lessons can be accessed at www.bankofcanadamuseum.ca/you-are-the-economy/.
The Bank of Canada Museum is located at 30 Bank Street in Ottawa. Admission is free. The museum explains the core functions of the Bank of Canada and houses over 130,000 artifacts related to Canadian currency.
For more information or interview requests, contact Media Relations. Follow the Museum on Facebook, Instagram, and X: @BoCMuseum.