Become a Young Investor

Contributor: Brian Anthony. Lesson ID: 11479

Investing in stocks sounds like something adults do. Can you believe there are some teens who have become expert investors and made money from the stock market? Learn how to buy your own stocks!

categories

Economics, Practical Life Skills

subject
Government
learning style
Visual
personality style
Otter, Golden Retriever
Grade Level
High School (9-12)
Lesson Type
Dig Deeper

Lesson Plan - Get It!

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Like most young people, you might dream of a day when you have plenty of cash and can spend it however you want. You may have even already obtained your first job and earned real money.

There are many ways to earn money and build your own life: some people do it through hard, physical labor, while others do this through creative jobs or work accomplished at a desk.

Some people make their money by investing — giving money to people or companies who use that money to make more money.

Reflect on the following questions.

  • What are investments?
  • Why are investments so important in our economy?
  • What kinds of investments impact our lives, even if we don't play the stock market?

In this lesson, you will explore stock investment and even develop your own imaginary stock portfolio!

You may already have a job or have friends who work.

Based on your earnings from a job, you could buy some nice items or buy food, drinks, or movie tickets to hang out with your friends. But imagine a job at your age where you earned thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars a year!

Watch a video about a young man, Damon Williams, who has just such a job. As you watch, write down the answers to these questions.

  • What does Williams do differently from other people his age?
  • How did he learn all he knows about investments?
  • What does he get for all his efforts?

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After watching, reflect on the following questions.

  • How is Williams different from you or other people you know?
  • Can you imagine yourself living and working like him? Why or why not?

Many people would be amazed that a teenager could do things that most adults couldn't, yet Williams began with just a few simple principles and the determination to build basic skills.

In the Got It? section explore some of the very same skills Williams uses every day to build his earnings.

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