Lesson Plan
Money Smarts Starter
Students will learn budgeting and saving fundamentals, practice making financial decisions through interactive scenarios, and apply knowledge by creating a monthly budget plan.
This lesson equips students with practical money management skills, fostering responsible financial habits and preparing them for real-world financial decisions early.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
Step 2
Budget Basics Presentation
10 minutes
Step 3
Expense vs. Income Simulation
15 minutes
Step 4
Monthly Budget Planning
15 minutes
Step 5
Financial Knowledge Check and Wrap-Up
5 minutes

Slide Deck
Budget Basics
What Is Income?
What Are Expenses?
What Is Savings?
Wants vs. Needs
Examples: Wants vs. Needs
Why It Matters
Class Discussion
Up Next: Simulation

Game


Worksheet


Quiz
Financial Knowledge Check
