Teaching Fourth Graders That Long-Term Money Choices Expand Life Opportunities
By fourth grade, students can think beyond the present moment.
They can imagine:
Middle school
High school
Careers
Big life goals
This makes it the perfect time to deepen the core message of Follow the Money Rules:
“Money rules are a recipe for success.”
“You’ll get to do more of the things you want to do.”
In fourth grade, students are ready to understand something powerful:
The longer you plan ahead, the more opportunities you create.
Saving protects opportunity.
Investing grows opportunity.
That is empowerment.
Lesson Focus (Grade 4)
Big Idea: Long-term saving and investing increase future opportunities.
Primary Concept:
Following money rules is a recipe for success because it expands what is possible over time.
Standards Alignment:
Council for Economic Education (CEE) – Saving
Council for Economic Education – Financial Investment
Jump$tart National Standards (3–5) – Saving & Investing
CASEL – Responsible Decision-Making & Future Planning
Why This Matters in Fourth Grade
Fourth graders can now grasp:
Time affects outcomes.
Money can grow.
Short-term thinking limits opportunity.
Long-term thinking expands opportunity.
This is where we introduce a key mindset shift:
Money is not just something to use.
It is something to manage strategically.
When students sing:
“Step by step follow the money rules…”
They begin to understand that success compounds.
Small decisions today can grow into large opportunities later.
Classroom Lesson Plan
Objective
Students will explain how saving and investing for long-term goals increases future opportunities.
Materials
Audio of Follow the Money Rules
Chart paper labeled: “Short-Term vs Long-Term Choices”
Scenario cards
Student response sheet
Warm-Up Discussion (5 Minutes)
Ask:
What is something you want this month?
What is something you want in five years?
Do those goals require the same kind of planning?
Write responses.
Introduce the idea:
Different goals require different money strategies.
Song Experience (5 Minutes)
Play the song.
Ask students to listen for:
“Save money. Make it a habit.”
“Invest money wisely. Make it a habit.”
“You’ll get to do more of the things you want to do.”
After listening, ask:
Why do you think both saving and investing are in the recipe?
Repeat the chorus together.
Repetition reinforces clarity.
Mini-Lesson (10 Minutes)
Write two columns:
Saving | Investing |
|---|
Define clearly:
Saving = Protecting money for future use.
Investing = Using money to try to grow it over time.
Explain:
Short-term goals → Often saving.
Long-term goals → Often investing.
Example:
$100 saved stays $100.
$100 invested at 5% grows to $105.
Over many years, growth compounds.
Connect back to lyric:
“Money rules are a recipe for success.”
Saving keeps your ingredients safe.
Investing helps them multiply.
Activity (15–20 Minutes)
Provide scenarios:
Buying a new phone in 3 months
Saving for college in 8 years
Emergency fund
Starting a small business in the future
Students decide:
Save or Invest?
Why?
How does this choice increase opportunity?
Students complete sentence:
“Following the money rules helps me do more of what I want because ______.”
Companion Assessment
Pre-Assessment (Before Lesson)
Short written:
What is the difference between saving and investing?
Can money grow over time?
Why might long-term goals require planning?
Teacher notes:
Understanding of time horizon
Awareness of growth potential
Post-Assessment (After Lesson)
Part 1 – Matching
Saving → Protects money
Investing → Grows money over time
Part 2 – Application Scenario
You have $200 for a goal 10 years away.
Would you:
A) Spend it
B) Save it
C) Invest it
Explain why your choice increases opportunity.
Look for:
Long-term growth reasoning
Time awareness
Opportunity expansion thinking
What Success Looks Like
By the end of this lesson, students should:
Understand the difference between short-term and long-term strategies.
Recognize that time increases opportunity.
Connect investing to expanded possibilities.
Most importantly…
They begin thinking in years, not just days.
That mindset dramatically increases future financial success.
Extending the Habit
Throughout the week, teachers can ask:
“Is this a short-term or long-term money choice?”
Encourage students to think strategically.
The goal is not to turn fourth graders into investors.
It is to introduce growth thinking.
Because growth thinking builds empowerment.
And empowerment builds confidence.
Contact Sam Today!
Discover more about Sam's latest initiative: Classroom Songs and Stories: Teaching Kids Great Money Habits!
CONNECT NOW!
