Interest Has Two Faces
The same percentage can help a saver—and cost a borrower.
Learning objectives
- Describe interest as a cost or reward
- Calculate 10% of simple amounts
- Compare saving and borrowing examples
Vocabulary
- Interest
- Extra money added for saving, or charged for borrowing.
- Rate
- How fast interest is added, shown as a percentage.
- Borrow
- To use money now that you must pay back later.
- Repay
- To pay back money you borrowed.
- Savings
- Money you have kept safe instead of spending it.
Materials
Minute-by-minute flow
7′
Hook
Teacher does
Reveal two endings for €100 at 10%.
Students do
Predict who pays whom.
12′
Model
Teacher does
Demonstrate 10% using grids.
Students do
Shade and calculate.
20′
Card pairs
Teacher does
Distribute saver and borrower stories.
Students do
Calculate and pair matching rates.
15′
Decision
Teacher does
Offer three borrowing choices.
Students do
Compare total repayment, not monthly wording.
6′
Exit
Teacher does
Ask for both faces.
Students do
Complete a two-column explanation.
Check for understanding
Can students say who receives interest and why?
Exit ticket
Interest helps when… and costs when…
Support
Use 10% and €10/€100 amounts.
Stretch
Compare rates over multiple years without implying guaranteed returns.
Home connection
Find one advert mentioning interest and identify whether it is paid or received.