Stock Market Challenge

This is the second lesson in a Stock Market activity that I do in my class each year. It is CCSS aligned for 6th grade math and NETS aligned and is intended to be used in conjunction with my Stock Market Expedition activity.

Student teams will trade stocks and track the progress of their Stock Market Simulation portfolio by using spreadsheet software and the Internet. They will relate the information to current events and the economy. The Internet will be used to research and identify stock trends. By placing students in the role of stockholder, they will research the qualities of a good stock/company or corporation. They will explain why markets are necessary for trading stocks and how markets operate. They will be able to identify the American Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, and the Nasdaq Stock Market. Students will describe the sequence of a stock trade on the New York Stock Exchange and explain that a buyer and seller trade a stock because they both expect to benefit. Student teams will use spreadsheet software to track purchases, sales, increases and decreases in stock values, and calculate portfolio values. By analyzing this data, students will determine whether or not to buy or sell their stock. Through weekly journal entries, students will contemplate the question How do current events influence change? By participating in interactive stock markets and online research, students will be able to demonstrate their understanding about the stock market and present their findings to the class by debating How do the choices we make today affect our future?

Guided Note Sheet and Formulated Spreadsheets w/Teacher Example are included with download.