Grades 6–8 · Lesson 3 · 50 minutes
Research before you buy
Students gather evidence, compare options, and justify a simulated purchase.
StockSt uses fictional currency and simulated shares for education only. This is not investment advice.
Warm-up
Ask, “Would you buy a game because a friend said it was amazing, or because you read reviews and tried it?” Discuss how the two approaches differ and which one leads to fewer regrets.
Mini-lesson
- Introduce a five-part research framework and write it on the board: Popularity (are people interested?), Momentum (has the price been rising or falling?), Catalysts (are upcoming events likely to matter?), Risk (what could go wrong?), and Valuation (is the current price reasonable compared with similar shares?).
- Model how to fill in each part for one share, thinking aloud so students hear how evidence and opinion differ.
StockSt activity
- Students complete a “Share Research Card” for two celebrity shares using the five-part framework.
- Students choose one of the two shares to buy.
- Students write a three-sentence investment thesis: “I am buying because…”, “I expect…”, and “My main risk is…”
Discussion
Have a few students read their theses aloud. Ask the class whether each thesis relies on evidence or on excitement, and what extra information would make it stronger.
Exit ticket
Students identify one source of information that is more reliable than a random social-media post.
Assessment
Research card and investment thesis. The SEC’s youth investing resources suggest that students research the companies behind products they know, follow prices, and evaluate whether a company may be a good investment; this lesson practices the same habits with simulated shares.
Student Learn links
Assign these before or after class so students practice the same ideas.