Money, Values & You
A Financial Literacy Course for 6th Graders
Welcome!
This course explores money from the ground up — not just how it works, but what it's for. Each weekly session combines hands-on activities, real-world math, and a values-based perspective rooted in Islamic principles of stewardship, moderation, and generosity. No textbook required. Just curiosity and an open notebook.
Values-First Approach
Money as a tool, not a goal.
Hands-On Activities
Every session includes a game, simulation, or worksheet.
Islamic Finance Integrated
Riba, zakat, halal investing — made concrete and age-appropriate.
Free Forever
No materials to buy. Everything runs in class.
Course Sessions
What is money — and what is it for?
Explore the origins of money, what gives it value, and why we think of it as a tool — not a goal.
- Origins of money and the barter system
- What gives money its value
- Money as a tool, not a goal
- Islamic concept of Amana (stewardship): we are caretakers of wealth
Needs vs. wants
Learn to tell the difference between what you need and what you want — and how advertising blurs the line.
- Needs vs. wants and the opportunity cost of each choice
- How advertising shapes what we think we "need"
- Islamic concepts of Israf (wastefulness) and Qasad (moderation)
- Quran 7:31 on balance and not being extravagant
Budgeting basics
Build your first budget and learn why giving should be planned, not accidental.
- Income vs. expenses
- Budget categories and how to balance a spending plan
- What happens when you spend more than you earn
- Sadaqah as a budget line — giving is planned, not accidental
Saving and goals
Learn the math of saving toward a goal and why the Islamic approach says: save before you buy.
- Why saving matters and what an emergency fund is
- Short-term vs. long-term goals
- The math of saving toward a goal
- Islamic approach: save before you buy; avoid debt
Banking basics
Understand how banks work, why interest is prohibited in Islam, and what Islamic banking alternatives look like.
- What banks do and how checking vs. savings accounts work
- How interest works — and why it is prohibited in Islam (Riba)
- Islamic banking alternatives: profit-sharing models, murabaha, musharakah
- What a credit union is
Smart spending
Master comparison shopping, learn the difference between price and value, and practice gratitude in consumption.
- Unit pricing and comparison shopping
- How advertising creates desire
- Distinguishing price from value
- Islamic concepts of halal consumption and Shukr (gratitude)
Investing and growing money
Learn what investing means, the basics of risk vs. reward, and how halal investing screens for values.
- What investing means: ownership vs. lending
- Risk vs. reward
- What stocks and businesses are at a basic level
- Halal investing: screening for prohibited industries; concept of sukuk vs. conventional bonds
Giving and putting it all together
Explore zakat, sadaqah, and barakah — then build your own one-page personal financial plan.
- Zakat as an obligation vs. Sadaqah as voluntary giving
- How giving circulates wealth in a community
- Concept of Barakah (blessing) in an honest and generous financial life
- Building a complete personal financial plan
Tips for Families
- Come with questions: The best sessions start with "I wonder why..." not "I already know."
- Try the take-home activities: Even five minutes of reflection between sessions makes a difference.
- Talk about money at home: This course works best when the conversations continue at the dinner table.
- There are no wrong answers in discussion: The goal is to think carefully, not to get it right immediately.
- Values and money go together: This course treats financial literacy as a character practice, not just a math skill.