What if financial literacy wasn’t just an isolated class but the thread that ties every corner of social studies together? From ancient trade systems to modern tax policies, there’s no better way to make history, civics, and economics relevant than by embedding financial concepts throughout the curriculum from every corner. NGPF's On-Demand modules can give you the confidence to weave these subjects together.

In my home state of Florida, updates to the B.E.S.T. standards across all grades and contents (especially within social studies) and new economic and financial literacy standards call for a more comprehensive cross-curricular approach to teaching financial literacy. With NGPF’s resources, the possibilities for mixing financial education and social studies are endless.

Here are five topic ideas:

Behavioral Economics: Connecting Trade to Human Choices

Why did early civilizations like Mesopotamia create currency? What sparked the trade routes of the Silk Road? These aren’t just historical facts—they’re windows into behavioral economics.

NGPF’s Behavioral Economics tools let students uncover the decision-making that shaped trade/economic systems. By completing the NGPF On-Demand module, The Power of Habit, you can learn how to connect these patterns to today’s consumer behavior in your lessons.

Inflation Across Eras: History Repeats Itself

From the Roman Empire’s collapse to modern inflation debates, rising prices have long shaped societies.

NGPF’s Inflation: Will It Stay or Will It Go? On-Demand module provides ideas for how to bring these historical lessons to life and show students how the economy of yesterday mirrors the issues of today.

The History of Racism in Finance: A U.S. History Lens

Financial systems have played a significant role in perpetuating inequality throughout U.S. history.

Lessons on redlining and discriminatory practices, using materials like NGPF’s mini-unit on Racial Discrimination in Finance, help students critically examine the connections between systemic inequities and economic outcomes, sparking meaningful discussions about justice and equity.

Brush up on your own knowledge with the On-Demand module, The History of Racism in Finance.

Taxes in Civics: The Wallet Meets Democracy

Civics isn’t just about laws—it’s about the choices behind public spending.

Using resources in NGPF’s Taxes unit, like MOVE: Your Tax Dollar In Action, students can explore how government decisions are funded, why taxes matter, and how they connect to their daily lives.

Boost your own understanding with the On-Demand module, The Role of Taxes.

Behavioral Nudges: Ancient Trade Meets Modern Economics

From the bartering of ancient times to today’s global trade, human behavior has driven economic evolution.

NGPF’s On-Demand module, The Power of the Nudge, can provide you with tools to be able to teach students how they can analyze these patterns, connecting world history and government to real-world economic conditions.

This is just the beginning. Whether it’s geography, psychology, or civics, financial literacy enriches every social studies subject. Together, we can use financial literacy to make social studies more than just the "sum of all its sides."

Explore the NGPF On-Demand Library to start weaving this golden thread through your lessons today. 

About the Author

Mike Aday

NGPF Ambassador Mike Aday teaches ADV World History / Cambridge PreAICE Global Perspectives at the Hudson Academy in Hudson, FL. He has been teaching for 15 years.

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