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Standards-Aligned Financial Literacy Lesson Plans (Grade 3): Sammy's Big Dream — Saving and Earning Money (1B)
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LessonPlan.Grade3.SammysBigDream — Saving and Earning Money 1BLesson Plan

Featured Resource - Storybook: Sammy’s Big Dream — Saving and Earning Money (Part 1B)

Grade Level: 3
Subject/Content Area: Financial Literacy · Literacy Integration
Duration: 40 minutes
Note: This lesson may be combined with Part 1A of this series.

Lesson Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

  • Identify saving and investing money as important habits for achieving dreams

  • Describe real-life ways to save and invest money based on Sammy’s Big Dream

  • Collaborate to reflect on learning using a KWL chart

  • Begin committing to positive money habits through a Dream Big Pledge

Materials (Including Technology)

Note: If you need access to any of Sammy’s activity templates referenced in this lesson, you can enroll in a FREE or PREMIUM Money School Memberships or contac us directly. We'd be happy to provide the materials.

Standards Alignment

This lesson aligns with national standards and multiple state financial literacy frameworks.
The source materials also support cross-alignment with English Language Arts and Social-Emotional Learning standards.

Financial Literacy Standards

National Standards for Personal Financial Education

(Developed by the Council for Economic Education)

  • Saving 4-1: Saving means choosing not to spend money today in order to buy something in the future

  • Saving 4-3: People differ in their values and attitudes about saving

  • Investing 4-1: People invest money so it can grow over time and support long-term financial goals

Washington Financial Education and Learning Standards

  • 3.SS.1: Show how saving money improves financial well-being

  • 3.EI.9: Identify jobs children can do to earn money

  • 3.EI.10: Identify sources of income beyond wages or salaries

  • 3.FD.6: Compare needs and wants

  • 3.FD.9: Identify a plan to achieve a specific, measurable goal

Ohio Learning Standards | Financial Literacy

  • 3.FRD.1: Money choices include saving, spending, and donating

  • 3.FRD.3: Income can come from work, gifts, or allowances

  • 3.CD.6: Money is needed to purchase goods and services

Wisconsin Standards for Personal Financial Literacy

  • PFL.FM1.b.i: Describe the role of money in everyday life

  • PFL.FM2.b.i: Describe how emotions impact financial decisions

  • PFL.FM2.c.i: Explain how external factors influence financial decisions

  • PFL.EE1.b.i: Describe how people are compensated for work

  • PFL.MM1.b.i: Identify age-appropriate ways to save, spend, and give

Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Personal Finance

  • 17.1.3–5.A: Describe reasons people set financial goals

  • 17.1.3–5.E: Describe conversations people have about money

  • 17.2.3–5.A: Describe ways people receive income

  • 17.4.3–5.B: Describe different savings goals and factors that influence them

Iowa Department of Education – Social Studies

  • SS.3.18: Determine the importance of saving and investing for future needs

Academic Learning Standards (ELA – Grade 3)

Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening

  • RL.1: Ask and answer questions using text evidence

  • RL.4: Determine meanings of words and phrases

  • RL.6: Distinguish point of view

  • W.10: Write for a range of tasks and time frames

  • SL.1: Engage in collaborative discussions

  • SL.3: Ask and answer questions from a speaker

  • SL.6: Speak clearly and in complete sentences

  • L.4.A–B: Use context clues and affixes to determine word meaning

Social-Emotional Learning Standards

  • 1.1C: Demonstrates self-awareness and understanding of external influences

  • 2.2B: Demonstrates responsible decision-making and problem-solving

  • 6.6B: Works collaboratively to set, monitor, and achieve goals

Lesson Outline

Introduction (2 minutes)

  • Reintroduce Sammy Rabbit and the story Sammy’s Big Dream

  • Explain that students will review the story and deepen their understanding of saving and investing

  • Share the learning goal:

    “Today we will review Sammy’s Big Dream and learn why saving and investing are important money habits.”

Activity 1: Story Review #1 — Group Work (20 minutes)

  • Re-read Sammy’s Big Dream aloud as a class

  • Distribute Story Review #1 (Part 2)

  • Students work in groups to complete questions 1–3 as a story review

  • Lead students through questions 4–6:

    • Read each statement aloud

    • Students decide individually whether they agree or disagree

    • Provide page numbers as needed for text support

Teacher Tip:
Encourage students to explain why they agree or disagree using evidence from the story.

Activity 2: Dream Big Pledge & Journal Introduction (3 minutes)

  • Explain that students will sign a pledge to help make their dreams come true

  • Distribute Dream Big Journal covers

  • Introduce the Dream Big Journal as a place to plan and track a savings goal

Pledge Process:

  • Teacher reads each statement aloud

  • Students repeat each line together

  • Students sign and date the pledge

  • Pledge is placed inside the Dream Big Journal

Make this moment celebratory, motivational, and empowering.

Activity 3: KWL Chart Review (3 minutes)

  • Return to the KWL (Know-Wonder-Learn) chart from Lesson 1

  • Ask:

    • What new things have we learned about saving money?

    • How did Sammy save and invest for his dream?

  • Allow partner discussion

  • Record student responses in the “L – Learned” column

Conclusion (5 minutes)

  • Preview upcoming lessons focused on:

    • Saving money

    • Investing money

    • Using habits and plans to achieve big dreams

  • Ask students to think about:

    • Something they want to save for

    • Why it matters to them

  • Record ideas on the board or chart paper for future reference

  • Distribute Story Idea #1 as a take-home activity

Teacher Note

This lesson reinforces reflection, commitment, and identity-building, helping students move from understanding saving to seeing themselves as capable planners and goal-setters.

Get All Lesson Plans in One PDF

If you’d like a FREE, printable PDF with all of our national and state standards aligned financial literacy lesson plans, contact us.

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