Indiana Social Studies GE.6.6

Social StudiesGrades 9–12Money and the Role of Financial Institutions

The Standard

Compare and contrast different types of financial investments.

2026 Indiana Academic Standards: K-12 Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students compare CDs, bonds, stocks, and index funds by risk, possible return, and access to cash. They choose an investment for a stated goal and explain why it fits.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can explain that a CD is a bank deposit, a bond is a loan, and a stock is ownership. They know an index fund holds many investments. They use time frame and risk to defend a choice.
Common Misconceptions: Students may assume a higher possible return is guaranteed. They may think a bond is company ownership, or that an index fund cannot lose value.
How to Assess It: On an exit ticket, give students two goals: $800 needed in one year and $800 saved for 20 years. Ask them to choose between a one-year bank CD and a stock index fund for each, citing risk and access to cash.

Lesson moves

Give pairs printed cards for a bank CD, Treasury bond, stock, and index fund; have them match each to a one-year or 20-year goal.
Ask students to write: Why might someone choose a one-year CD over a stock index fund even if stocks could earn more?
Run a card match: students pair CD, bond, stock, and index fund cards with definitions, then explain each match aloud.
Show a bank CD rate sheet and an index fund fact sheet; students circle withdrawal rules, fees, and loss warnings.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to GE.6.6, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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