Safe Places to Save: Financial Literacy Lesson Plan (Grades K–2)
Big Idea: Money should be stored in a safe place so it is protected and ready when needed.
Lesson Overview
Concept: Safe Storage of Money & Introduction to Banks
Time: Approximately 30 minutes
Core Habit: Store savings somewhere safe.
Key Phrases from Story Book:
Page 12 | “You can store your savings somewhere safe until you want or need it.”
Page 12 | “You can use this backpack to start saving on the way home.”
Standards Alignment
CEE (K–4) | Jump$tart (K–2) | Jump$tart (3–5 Extension) |
People deposit money into savings accounts at banks. | Identify places people keep their money. | Explain the role of financial institutions. |
Banks provide a safe place to keep money. | Recognize the purpose of banks. | Describe how banks help protect money. |
People save money for future needs and wants. |
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
Identify safe places to store money.
Explain why money should be kept in a secure place.
Compare keeping money at home vs. keeping money in a bank.
Answer the question: “Why is it important to keep money in a safe place?”
Key Concepts
Safe Storage: Keeping money in a protected place where it will not be lost, stolen, or damaged.
Bank: A special place that keeps money safe.
Protection: Guarding something important so it stays secure.
Temporary vs. Long-Term Storage (Age-Appropriate): Some places are okay for short-term holding, but banks are safest for long-term saving.
Materials and Supplemental Resources
It's a Habit, Sammy Rabbit! Note: Any of the following will work: Full color story book or Read and Color Activity Story Book / Bilingual Read and Color Activity Story Book / Author Reading
Sammy Dictionary for Kids (See: bank)
Sammy Song Series (See: Get in the Habit, The Secret, S-A-V-E)
Picture cards: piggy bank, jar, wallet, bank building
Lesson Time Guide
2 min: Introduce Big Idea and key phrase.
5 min: Read aloud story excerpt.
8 min: Guided Discussion (3 levels).
7 min: Safe or Not Safe? Sorting Game.
3 min: Transfer to Real-Life Examples.
5 min: Exit Ticket assessment.
Lesson Activities
1. Guided Discussion (8 Minutes)
Move through three levels of questions to help students process the concept:
Level 1 (Recall): Where did Sammy first put his savings? What did his parent suggest?
Level 2 (Understand): Why should savings be kept somewhere safe? What could happen if money is not protected?
Level 3 (Apply): Where do you think is the safest place to keep money? Why?
Reinforce the highlight phrase: “Store your savings somewhere safe until you want or need it.”
2. Safe or Not Safe? Sorting Game (7 Minutes)
Visual Safety Activity
Show pictures of different places money might be kept:
Under a pillow
In a backpack
In a piggy bank
In a bank
On the playground
In a drawer
Students sort pictures into two categories:
SAFE PLACE
NOT SAFE PLACE
Discuss answers and reasoning.
Then introduce the key idea:
“A bank is a special place that keeps money safe.”
Emphasize the difference between:
Backpack = temporary storage
Piggy bank = safer at home
Bank = safest long-term storage
3. Transfer to Real-Life Examples (3 Minutes)
Bridge carrots to money:
Ask:
“If carrots were money, where would Sammy keep them so they wouldn’t get ruined?”
“What could happen if money is left somewhere unsafe?”
“How does keeping money safe help you feel?”
Keep examples simple and reassuring.
Bonus Activity and Assessment: Safe or Risky Choice?
Purpose
Students apply what they learned by identifying whether each example protects savings.
Big Idea Reinforced
Money should be stored in a safe place so it is protected and available when needed.
Instructions (Teacher Script)
Say:
“Today we learned that saving is important — and keeping savings safe is important too.”
“Now we will read some sentences. If the place keeps money safe, check YES. If it is not safe, check NO.”
Student Worksheet
Place a check by Yes or No.
Check Yes if the place keeps money safe.
Check No if it does not protect money.
Is this a safe place to store money?
“Keeping money in a bank.”
Yes ________ No ________“Leaving money on the playground.”
Yes ________ No ________“Putting money in a piggy bank at home.”
Yes ________ No ________“Hiding money loosely in a backpack.”
Yes ________ No ________“Putting money in a savings account.”
Yes ________ No ________
Discussion & Reflection Questions
After students respond, ask:
Why is a bank a safe place?
What could happen if money is not stored safely?
How does protecting your savings show responsibility?
Why is safe storage part of good money habits?
Extension (Grades 1–2 Writing or Drawing)
Complete the sentence:
“I keep my money safe by _______________________________.”
Or draw a picture of the safest place to store money.
Differentiation and Assessment Strategies
Learner Strategies
ELL / Bilingual: Use visuals and gestures for “safe” and “not safe.” Repeat phrase: “Keep your money safe.”
Needs Support: Focus on two comparisons (playground vs. bank).
Advanced: Ask: “Why might a bank be safer than a drawer at home?” Introduce simple idea of protection.
SEL Connection
Responsible Decision-Making: Choosing safe places for important things.
Self-Management: Protecting what you earn and save.
Assessment – Exit Ticket
Standard/Support: Students respond orally: “Why is it important to keep money in a safe place?”
Advanced: Complete the sentence: “A bank helps protect money because ______.”
Family Connection and Home Extension
Conversation Starters: Ask a grown-up: “Where do we keep our money safe?”
Optional Activity: Visit a local bank website together and identify what makes it secure.
Encourage families to repeat the phrase: “Store your savings somewhere safe until you want or need it.”
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