Standards-Aligned Financial Literacy Lesson Plans to Teach Goal Setting, Planning, and Good Money Habits Required to Make Big Dreams Come True . Featured Resource: Song — Big Ol' Dream
Core Concept Across All Grades
Big dreams are possible for everyone. Turning dreams into reality requires belief, planning, preparation, consistent effort, and good money habits.
K–2 Lesson Plan
Grade Band: K–2 (Ages 5–7)
Big Idea
I can have big dreams and believe in myself.
Learning Objective (Student-Friendly)
“I can share a dream and name one habit that can help it grow.”
Standards Alignment
CEE – Decision Making: Thinking ahead
CEE – Planning and Goal Setting: Visualizing goals
Jump$tart – Financial Decision Making: Goal awareness
CASEL: Self-awareness and confidence
Materials
Paper and crayons
Picture cards showing different dreams (jobs, places, activities)
Lesson Flow (15–20 minutes)
1. Warm-Up Conversation (3 minutes)
Ask:
“What is something you dream about doing one day?”
“Can everyone have dreams?”
Explain:
“Dreams help us imagine our future, and habits help us work toward it.”
2. Listen & Imagine (5 minutes)
Play the song and follow along with the lyrics.
Ask students to close their eyes and imagine their own big dream.
3. Guided Discussion (5 minutes)
Ask:
“What does the song say about having a big dream?”
“What can we do to help our dreams grow?”
Key idea:
“Believing in yourself and practicing good habits help dreams grow.”
4. Practice Activity (5 minutes)
Students draw:
One big dream
One habit that could help (saving, practicing, planning)
Teacher says:
“You just took a step toward your dream.”
Assessment (Informal)
Students can:
Share a dream
Name one habit connected to that dream
Take-Home Connection
“Tell someone at home about your big dream and one habit that can help it.”
Grades 3–5 Lesson Plan
Grade Band: 3–5 (Ages 8–10)
Big Idea
Dreams become stronger when I plan and practice good money habits.
Learning Objective
Students will explain how planning, effort, and money habits help turn dreams into achievable goals.
Standards Alignment
CEE – Decision Making: Evaluating actions
CEE – Planning and Goal Setting: Goal development
Jump$tart – Financial Decision Making: Future thinking
NFEC: Responsibility and motivation
CASEL: Self-management and perseverance
Materials
Chart paper or board
Simple planning worksheet (Dream → Steps → Habits)
Lesson Flow (20–25 minutes)
1. Warm-Up Question (5 minutes)
Ask:
“Can a dream come true without effort or planning?”
Explain:
“Dreams grow when we make a plan and practice good habits.”
2. Song Analysis (5 minutes)
Play the song and review the lyrics.
Ask:
“What does the song say about courage and preparation?”
“How can money habits help support a dream?”
Write on the board:
Dream → Plan → Habits → Progress
3. Activity: Dream to Plan (10 minutes)
Students choose one dream and list:
One goal connected to the dream
Two steps they could take
One money habit that would help (saving, budgeting, earning)
Discuss:
“Big dreams happen one step at a time.”
4. Reflection (5 minutes)
Students complete:
“One habit that can help my dream is…”
“Planning helps because…”
Assessment
Students can:
Explain how planning supports dreams
Identify a habit that supports a goal
Take-Home Extension
“Practice one habit this week that supports a goal you care about.”
Grades 6–8 Lesson Plan
Grade Band: 6–8 (Ages 11–13)
Big Idea
Big dreams require action, commitment, and good money habits.
Learning Objective
Students will analyze how planning, perseverance, and money habits help turn long-term dreams into achievable outcomes.
Standards Alignment
CEE – Decision Making: Costs, benefits, and outcomes
CEE – Planning and Goal Setting: Long-term planning
Jump$tart – Financial Decision Making: Career and future readiness
NFEC: Goal-oriented behavior
CASEL: Self-management and optimism
Materials
Scenario comparison worksheet
Optional goal- and habit-tracking template
Lesson Flow (30 minutes)
1. Opening Question (5 minutes)
Ask:
“Why do some people give up on big dreams?”
Discuss effort, habits, and persistence.
2. Song Discussion (5 minutes)
Play the song and review the lyrics.
Ask:
“What role do planning and habits play in reaching dreams?”
“How do today’s choices affect future opportunities?”
Explain:
“Dreams become real when plans turn into actions and habits.”
3. Scenario Comparison (10 minutes)
Compare:
Student A has a big dream but no plan or habits
Student B sets goals, plans steps, and practices good money habits
Ask:
“Who is more likely to succeed?”
“Who can adjust when challenges appear?”
Connect to:
Saving and budgeting
Education and skill-building
Long-term planning
4. Personal Application (10 minutes)
Students write:
One big dream they have
Three steps to prepare for it
One money habit they need to strengthen
Assessment
Students can:
Explain the connection between dreams, habits, and outcomes
Identify actions that support long-term goals
Real-World Extension
Connect to:
Career exploration
Saving for future goals
Education and financial planning
Teacher Notes
Reinforce optimism without pressure
Emphasize habits and effort over perfection
Normalize adjusting plans and dreams
Pair with Plan, Anyone Can Be Rich, and Budget!
Bottom Line
Big Ol’ Dream! helps children understand that dreaming big is important—but turning dreams into reality takes belief, planning, preparation, consistent effort, and good money habits.
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