What did they have to say about money and finance? Grade 4 students’ representations about financial concepts when learning mathematics

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study presents results coming from Grade 4 students discussing financial concepts that emerged while learning about probability. Six mathematical learning situations on probability were implemented in an elementary classroom situated in Québec, Canada. These learning situations presented gambling activities as sociocultural contexts to be studied in order to develop probabilistic knowledge and reasoning. This process also involves the use of critical thinking, which supports the development of citizenship competencies. The sociocultural context created an opportunity for students to talk about financial concepts broadly, not just those related to gambling activities. The teaching experiment involved the participation of 27 students. Results showed that students have many representations about financial concepts, more specifically on money, means to have money, consumption, risk, and global economy. Those concepts were conceptualised in the citizenship context, where three kinds of citizens emerged: the personally responsible citizen, the participatory citizen, and the justice-oriented citizen. The results of this study suggest that students need to be financially educated in order to develop citizenship.