For Iowa families and classrooms
In January 2026 Iowa adopted new Academic Standards for Social Studies, and they did something most states have not: they put a named financial literacy unit in every single elementary grade. Needs and Wants in Kindergarten. People at Work and Careers in first. Saving and Spending in second. Budgeting in third. Spending Wisely in fourth. Making Smart Financial Decisions in fifth.
Iowa's own description of the fifth grade year is that students "develop basic personal finance concepts including earning, saving, borrowing, investing, setting financial goals, and the role of taxes." Networthy's eight units are earning, spending, saving, budgeting, borrowing and credit, giving and protecting, money choices, and a business capstone. Of every state framework this course has been mapped against, Iowa's is the closest fit.
Networthy is building the full K-5 arc. The Grade 5 course is complete and available now, a strong fit for students ages 8-12. Grades K-4 are coming next.
The free lesson needs a parent's email address. No account, no card.
Already bought it? Enter the course here.
Iowa's elementary financial literacy strand is 22 standards across six grades. Networthy addresses 21 of them and covers 19 in full. In grades 3 to 5, the band this course is written for, 10 of 11 are covered in full.
| Iowa grade 5: Making Smart Financial Decisions | Where in Networthy |
|---|---|
| SS.5.21 | Unit 6, Borrowing and Credit: the three numbers of every loan, and what makes a lender say yes |
| SS.5.22 | Units 3 and 4: what banks do, five ways to pay, and the two lanes, safe against growing |
| SS.5.23 | Units 4, 5 and 8: compound growth, a goals-based budget, and a business plan carried to launch day |
| SS.5.24 | Unit 2: income tax, payroll tax, sales tax and property tax, taught on a pay stub, with what each one funds |
The full Iowa crosswalk maps the course against all 22 elementary standards, grade by grade, and says plainly which ones it does not cover. Download the crosswalk (PDF), free, no email needed. Teaching in a classroom? Email us for the teacher materials: in-class alternates for every family mission plus per-unit parent guides.
Iowa's Education Savings Account program provides $8,148 per student for the 2026-27 school year, and curriculum is an eligible expense.
Networthy's Iowa marketplace application is submitted and under review. Until it is live, Iowa families can buy directly ($79, whole household, no subscription) and keep the receipt for their account records. Questions about using program funds? Email hello@networthykids.com and we will answer honestly, including when the answer is not yet.
Here is the course that actually does it.
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