Week 1: What Is Money?

Goal: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to explain what money is, identify its different forms, and describe how it is used in daily life.

Description: Introduces the concept of money’s purpose, forms (coins, bills, digital), and everyday use.

Digital Activity: Peter Pig’s Money Counter
Reflection: “Where do we use money every day? How would life be different without it?”
ISTE Code: 1a, 1c – Empowered Learner.

Key Skill: Recognizing money as a tool for transactions.
Key Skill Description: Understanding money as a medium of exchange for goods and services and its role in personal and community life.

Week 2: Earning Money

Goal: Students will be able to identify ways people earn money and explain the link between work, effort, and income.
Description: Connects work to earning, exploring different job types and responsibilities.
Digital Activity: https://playmoneymagic.com/
Hands-On Task: Create a chore chart or job list with pretend earnings.
Reflection: “What jobs could you do to earn money?”
ISTE Code: 3a, 3b – Knowledge Constructor.
Key Skill: Linking work to income.
Key Skill Description: Recognizing that money is earned through effort, time, and skills, and that different jobs yield different pay.

Week 3: Saving for a Goal

Goal: Students will be able to set a personal savings goal and explain why saving is important.
Description: Explores the value of saving, goal setting, and delayed gratification.
Digital Activity: RoosterMoney Goal Tracker
Hands-On Task: Pick an item to save for; record savings in the Save jar.
Reflection: “What’s worth saving for?”
ISTE Code: 6a, 6b – Creative Communicator.
Key Skill: Goal setting and delayed gratification.
Key Skill Description: Creating a savings target, tracking progress, and understanding the benefits of waiting to achieve bigger goals.

Week 4: Spending Smart (Wants vs. Needs)

Goal: Students will be able to differentiate between needs and wants and explain why prioritizing needs is important.
Description: Distinguishes between needs and wants to encourage wise spending.
Digital Activity: FitMoney $uperSquad – Smart Shopping Mission
Hands-On Task: Sort flyer items into Wants and Needs.
Reflection: “If you had $5, what would you choose and why?”
ISTE Code: 1b, 1d – Empowered Learner.
Key Skill: Spending prioritization.
Key Skill Description: Allocating limited resources to essentials first, fostering critical thinking about purchases.

Week 5: Giving to Others

Goal: Students will be able to describe ways they can give to others and explain how giving benefits communities.
Description: Teaches the social and emotional value of generosity.
Digital Activity: Khan Academy Kids – Character Stories
Hands-On Task: Contribute to the Give jar; select a cause to support.
Reflection: “How can money help others?”
ISTE Code: 2a, 2b – Digital Citizen.
Key Skill: Social responsibility.
Key Skill Description: Understanding the role of giving in building stronger communities and the satisfaction it brings.

Week 6: Budgeting Basics

Goal: Students will be able to create a simple budget for a small amount of money and make spending decisions within that budget.
Description: Introduces budgeting as a plan for spending and saving money.
Digital Activity: Financial Soccer (Beginner)
Hands-On Task: Plan $10 worth of snacks using store ads.
Reflection: “How do you make choices with limited money?”
ISTE Code: 5a, 5b – Computational Thinker.
Key Skill: Resource allocation.
Key Skill Description: Distributing limited funds across needs and wants while balancing priorities.

Week 7: Where Money Comes From

Goal: Students will be able to explain how people earn income and how the amount of work done affects earnings.
Description: Explains income sources, job types, and the concept of wages.
Digital Activity: BizKids – Money Magic
Hands-On Task: Create a “paycheck” for chores; split it between jars.
Reflection: “What happens if someone stops working?”
ISTE Code: 3a, 3d – Knowledge Constructor.
Key Skill: Linking labor to financial stability.
Key Skill Description: Understanding the relationship between effort, hours worked, and money earned, and balancing work with leisure.

Week 8: Banks & Keeping Money Safe

Goal: Students will be able to explain how banks keep money safe and identify secure ways to store money.
Description: Covers why banks exist, how they protect money, and savings account basics.
Digital Activity: FDIC Money Smart – Elementary
Hands-On Task: Visit a bank or use a demo banking app.
Reflection: “Where would you keep your savings and why?”
ISTE Code: 2a, 2c – Digital Citizen.
Key Skill: Financial safety.
Key Skill Description: Learning to store money securely, avoid risks, and use trusted financial systems.

Week 9: Making Choices with Money

Goal: Students will be able to make informed spending choices when given a limited budget and explain their decision-making process.
Description: Simulates real-world money decision-making, including trade-offs and investments.
Digital Activity: NGPF – STAX Game
Hands-On Task: Run a pretend store with $5 play money.
Reflection: “Why did you buy certain things and skip others?”
ISTE Code: 4a, 4d – Innovative Designer.
Key Skill: Decision-making under constraints.
Key Skill Description: Evaluating options, predicting outcomes, and choosing the best use of resources.

Week 10: Review & Celebration!

Goal: Students will be able to reflect on their learning, share their biggest takeaways, and celebrate their progress.
Description: Consolidates all money lessons, encourages reflection, and celebrates achievements.
Digital Activity: Pick a Favorite Game or Story
Hands-On Task: Print a Financial Literacy Graduation Certificate.
Reflection: “What money lesson will you use the most in the future?”
ISTE Code: 6a, 6c – Creative Communicator.
Key Skill: Reflection and goal reinforcement.
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