You are the Economy

See the economy from a whole new perspective—yours.

You Are the Economy is a set of six lessons and activities that explore economic and financial literacy and are designed to fit within social studies, history, geography, economics, business and career courses. The lessons are for students in Grades 7–12 (Secondary I-V).

Each lesson features interactive teaching strategies and uses data from the Bank of Canada and other trusted sources to get your students thinking and talking about economics and personal finances.

Use all the resources or choose the lessons that best suit your classroom. Each lesson has resources to help you walk your students through key concepts, and includes a discussion guide and a comprehensive answer key.

Lesson plans

Explore personal finances and national and global economics in fun and engaging ways.

It’s personal: economic and financial decision-making

Thinking like an economist

Introduce your students to foundational economic concepts using everyday examples.

Building budgets

Balance a monthly budget for a household and learn some financial saving and spending tips along the way.

On target: the Canadian economy and the Bank of Canada

Connecting Canadian industries

Explore different industries in the Canadian economy and see how they are interconnected and evolving.

Decoding Canadian economic data

Develop data literacy skills by interpreting charts of Canadian economic data.

The world and us: exploring the global economy

Tracing Canada’s place in the world

Use a data visualization tool to learn about how Canada’s place in the global economy has evolved.

Investing wisely

Make investment decisions based on what’s important to you and see how your spending and earning connects you to the global economy.

Featured activities

Pick and choose from these resources about the economy and personal finance.

Video: Think like an economist

Staff from the Bank of Canada explain how to think like an economist and look for the economy at work in your daily life.
Content type(s): Multimedia

Infographic: Budgeting tips for teens

Check your students’ know-how on saving and spending by using this budgeting infographic.
Content type(s): Lesson plans

Manipulatives: Canadian industry hexagons

Sort different industries by their impact on the economy and labour force to better understand the diversity of the Canadian economy.
Content type(s): Lesson plans

Charts and graphs: Economic indicators

Explore six different datasets by filling in information and answering forecasting questions on economic indicators.
Content type(s): Lesson plans

Data visualization tool: How does Canada fit into the global economy?

Explore historical economic data on gross domestic product, immigration, investment and trade.
Content type(s): Activities and games

Quiz: Risk assessment

Take a quick quiz to explore your own risk tolerance when it comes to investments.
Content type(s): Lesson plans