Standards-Aligned Financial Literacy Lesson Plans:
Get in the Habit
Core Concept Across All Grades—K through 8:
Saving is a habit practiced every time—not a one-time event.
K–2 Lesson Plan
Grade Band: K–2 (Ages 5–7)
Theme: Foundations & Habit Awareness
Big Idea
Saving is something I can do every time I earn or receive money.
Learning Objective (Student-Friendly)
“I can practice saving as a habit.”
Standards Alignment
CEE – Decision Making: Making simple choices
CEE – Money Management: Purposeful use of money
Jump$tart – Saving: Saving as a regular behavior
CASEL: Self-management, responsible decision-making
Materials
Song and lyrics: Get in the Habit
Piggy bank or container (real or pictured)
Play coins or paper circles
Lesson Flow (15–20 minutes)
1. Warm-Up (3 minutes)
Ask:
“What is something you do every day?”
“Do you brush your teeth just once—or every day?”
Connect:
“Saving is like brushing your teeth. It works best when you do it every time.”
2. Listen & Move (5 minutes)
Play Get in the Habit.
Invite students to:
Tap their knees when they hear “habit”
Point to an imaginary piggy bank when they hear “save”
3. Simple Discussion (5 minutes)
Ask:
“What does the song say we should do with our money?”
“Does saving mean a lot or a little?”
Key takeaway (teacher script):
“Saving a little every time is how habits grow.”
4. Practice the Habit (5 minutes)
Give each student 5 play coins.
Say:
“You earned some money. Let’s practice saving.”
Students place 1 coin into the piggy bank.
Reinforce:
“You just practiced a saving habit.”
Assessment (Informal)
Students can:
Say what saving means
Demonstrate saving one coin
Take-Home Connection
“Next time you get money, practice saving first—even a little.”
Grades 3–5 Lesson Plan
Grade Band: 3–5 (Ages 8–10)
Theme: Consistency & Growth
Big Idea
Small savings grow when I save regularly.
Learning Objective
Students will explain how saving small amounts consistently leads to growth over time.
Standards Alignment
CEE – Decision Making: Comparing choices
CEE – Money Management: Planning and saving
Jump$tart – Saving: Small amounts add up
NFEC: Habit-based responsibility
CASEL: Self-management, patience
Materials
Song and lyrics: Get in the Habit
Chart paper or board
“From every dollar, save a dime” visual
Lesson Flow (20–25 minutes)
1. Warm-Up Question (5 minutes)
Ask:
“If you saved 10 cents every time you got a dollar, what might happen over time?”
No math required—just thinking.
2. Song Analysis (5 minutes)
Play the song.
Ask:
“What plan does the song teach?”
“Why do you think the song talks about habits?”
Write on the board:
Save a little → Every time → Watch it grow
3. Activity: The Power of Repetition (10 minutes)
Create a simple scenario:
You earn $1, five times.
Each time, you save 10 cents.
Ask:
“How many times did you save?”
“Did saving feel hard?”
Emphasize:
“It’s not about the amount—it’s about repeating the habit.”
4. Reflection (5 minutes)
Students complete:
“One way I can practice saving regularly is…”
Assessment
Students can:
Describe how small savings add up
Identify saving as a repeated action
Take-Home Extension
Challenge:
“Practice saving first the next three times you receive money.”
Grades 6–8 Lesson Plan
Grade Band: 6–8 (Ages 11–13)
Theme: Responsibility & Long-Term Thinking
Big Idea
My saving habits today shape my future.
Learning Objective
Students will analyze how consistent saving habits influence long-term financial outcomes.
Standards Alignment
CEE – Decision Making: Evaluating costs and benefits
CEE – Money Management: Strategic saving
Jump$tart – Saving: Long-term benefits
NFEC: Ownership and responsibility
CASEL: Responsible decision-making, self-control
Materials
Song and lyrics: Get in the Habit
Scenario cards (spender vs. saver)
Optional savings tracker
Lesson Flow (30 minutes)
1. Opening Question (5 minutes)
Ask:
“Why do people struggle to save—even when they know it’s important?”
Discuss impulse vs. intention.
2. Song as Strategy (5 minutes)
Play the song.
Ask:
“What strategy does the song suggest?”
“Why focus on habits instead of amounts?”
Key idea:
“Habits reduce decision fatigue.”
3. Scenario Comparison (10 minutes)
Compare two students:
Student A saves a little every time.
Student B saves only when it feels easy.
Ask:
“Who is more likely to feel prepared later?”
“Why?”
Introduce:
“This is the beginning of a compounding mindset.”
4. Personal Habit Mapping (10 minutes)
Students write:
One current money habit
One habit they want to build
One small step they can repeat consistently
Assessment
Students can:
Explain why consistency matters
Connect habits to future outcomes
Real-World Extension
Tie to:
Emergency savings
Goal setting
Future independence
Teacher Notes (Applies to All Grades)
Focus on behavior first, math later
Avoid shame or pressure
Reinforce progress, not perfection
Revisit the song regularly to strengthen habit memory
Bottom Line for Lesson Plans
Get in the Habit teaches children that:
Saving success isn’t about how much you save—it’s about saving every time.
Get All Lesson Plans in One PDF
If you’d like a FREE, printable PDF with all of our national and state aligned financial literacy standards contact us.
Keep Kids Learning
Keep:
kids listening, learning, singing and growing with a FREE or PREMIUM Money School Memberships.
parents, teachers, and community leaders learning and growing their financial literacy teaching skills by reading Sam X Renick's series of articles: Money Lessons Parents Should Teach Kids!
delivering financial education at home, in school, and other venues with Sammy's Dream Big Financial Education curriculum!
Contact Sammy Today!
We welcome your questions, suggestions, and ideas! Let’s connect, brainstorm, and partner to keep helping kids, families, and communities build strong financial literacy knowledge, habits, and skills—so together, we can create better and brighter futures for all.
CONNECT NOW
