KS3 - Economic Ideas - 4 work-related learning lessons

When was money invented? Why is it used? Students get to design their own money and learn about tax in this module.

These KS3 lessons include individual work, paired work and group activities as well as teacher led discussions and presentations.

For further studies at key stage 3 or key stage 4, try the financial capability activities in our 'Manage your Millions' lesson.

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Tru ks3 enterprise economic ideas l2sm

When was money invented? What is it used for?

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Tru ks3 enterprise economic ideas l1sm

Students learn about the way trade works at a basic level, including bartering and money.

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Tru ks3 enterprise economic ideas l4sm

In this lesson students learn the basics about the tax they will pay as adults, and what it is spent on.

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Tru ks3 enterprise economic ideas l3sm

What products are imported to and from the UK?

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Economic Ideas Activities for Work-related Learning

As part of the programme of study for Economic well-being, it is important that students understand issues relating to the economic and business environment as well as the functions and uses of money. This series of key stage 3 teaching resources introduces various financial concepts to your pupils.

Lesson 1 –Trade

In the first activity, students work in groups to develop an understanding of the need for trade. As the concept is established and developed, pupils should start to realise the benefits of trading.

Lesson 2 – Money

Now, we turn our attention to money and how this has become an essential tool for trade. Students look at the history of currency and design their own coin.

Lesson 3 – Import and Export

In the first part of this lesson, we establish the meaning of the words import and export. This is followed by paired activities and demonstration of the knowledge learned.

Lesson 4 – Tax

In the final session, we explain about the different types of tax that will affect students as they become economically active. We also study a payslip to introduce the topics of national insurance, gross pay, net pay and tax codes.

Vocational Qualifications

These economic ideas lessons can be used to support learning outcomes for Preparation for Working Life - Economic and Financial Aspects of Life from AQA. These lessons are also suitable for use with Personal and Social Development Qualification - Managing Own Money, Employability - Exploring Business and Enterprise from ASDAN; Preparing for Employment, Key Skills and Workplace Core Skills - Managing Your Own Money from City & Guilds; Skills Towards Enabling Progression "Step Up" - Personal Budgeting, Economic Well-Being and Financial Capability - Budgeting and Money Management, Developing Skills for Employment - Financial Literacy and Money Management from NOCN; Employability Skills - Financial Capability from OCR.