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.

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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

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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

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Game

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Worksheet

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Quiz

Financial Knowledge Check

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Financial IQ

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Maria Avina

Tier 1
For Schools
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