When and where can children start learning about the value of a dollar, the stock market, investing, and monetary life skills?

It officially starts in Sixth Grade for RHCDS students.  Mr. Todd Gordon, Assistant Principal, teaches Economics to our Middle School.

Mr. Gordon was the guest speaker for our January Parents Association Meeting.

He provided a brief overview of the Middle School Economics curriculum at RHCDS and a few tips to get our children interested in saving and investing money at a young age.

Grades 6-8 have Economics once a week and they discuss current market conditions. They have their own currency called “gords” and each student is given a bank account in the Bank of Gordon. Between Sixth and Eighth Grade, students have to choose how many gords they want to save, spend and invest.

A few key concepts covered in each grade include:

6th grade: Introduction of Economics, Money and Banking, Government Bonds, Stock and Stock Markets, Mutual Funds, Basic Investment Strategies

7th grade: Supply and Demand, Introduction to Taxes & Government Spending, National Debt and Deficits, Corporate Bonds and Bond Ratings, Introduction into Finance and Credit, the importance of a good credit score, credit cards, mortgages, the 2008 Financial Crisis

8th grade: Time Value of Money, Retirement Planning, Social Security, Bankruptcy, how to live on a budget, Shark Tank/Business Plan Competition

Mr. Gordon emphasizes the importance of the time value of money throughout the course and the Four Pillars of Financial Stability:  Income, Investments, Savings, and Real Estate

Numerous graduates of Country Day have thanked Mr. Gordon throughout the years for introducing them to the financial world and teaching them money management lessons they can use throughout their lives.

To view the slide presentation, click here