Lesson Plans
Dictionary Term Focus: Choice
Core Concept Across All Grades
Every money decision is a choice. When children learn to pause, think, and choose intentionally, they build skills that support better outcomes now and over time.
K–2 Lesson Plan
Grade Band: K–2 (Ages 5–7)
Big Ideas
I am in charge of my choices. Every money choice counts, no matter the amount. I can stop and think before I make a choice, including a money choice.
Learning Objectives
Learners can:
Recognize and understand the word choice
Connect the word choice to money and explain that using money involves making choices
Practice stopping and thinking before making a money choice
Standards Alignment
Council for Economic Education (CEE): Decision Making
Jump$tart Coalition: Financial Decision Making
National Financial Educators Council (NFEC): Responsibility and awareness
CASEL: Self-Management, Responsible Decision-Making
Materials
Dictionary definition of Choice (kid-friendly version)
Picture cards showing simple choices (save vs. spend, share vs. keep, wait vs. rush)
Lesson Flow (15–20 minutes)
1. Word Introduction & Sound Familiarity (2 minutes)
Teacher says:
“Today’s word is choice.”
Have students:
Listen to the word
Say the word together: “Choi ce.”
Say it once more slowly: “Choice.”
Teacher uses the word in simple sentences:
“I made a choice this morning. I chose to wake up on time instead of waking up late. I chose to eat an apple instead of an orange.”
“You can make a choice too.”
Explain:
“Today we are going to learn what the word choice means.”
2. Simple Definition & Meaning (3 minutes)
Teacher says and displays the definition:
“A choice means picking one thing instead of another.”
Have students repeat the sentence together once.
Teacher gives a concrete example:
“If I choose an apple, I don’t choose a cookie.”
“That is a choice.”
3. Warm-Up Conversation: Everyday Choices (3 minutes)
Ask:
“What choices did you make today?”
“Did you choose what to wear or what to eat?”
Reinforce:
“When you pick, you are making a choice.”
4. Bridge to Money Choices (3 minutes)
Teacher says:
“Sometimes our choices involve money.”
Ask:
“What money choices have we made this week?”
“Did anyone choose to save money?”
“Did anyone choose to spend money?”
Offer examples if needed:
“Maybe you chose to save coins.”
“Maybe you chose to buy a snack or toy.”
“Maybe an adult helped you make a money choice.”
Reinforce:
“Every time we use money, we are making a choice.”
5. Read & Discuss the Definition (4 minutes)
Read the kid-friendly dictionary definition of choice again.
Ask:
“Can we make more than one choice at the same time?”
“What happens when we choose one thing?”
Key idea to reinforce:
“When we choose one thing, we don’t choose something else.”
6. Guided Practice (3 minutes)
Show a picture card and ask:
“What are the choices?”
“What might happen if you choose this one?”
Students respond using the sentence frame:
“I stop and think before I choose.”
7. Practice Activity: Act It Out (3–4 minutes)
Students act out:
Stopping
Thinking
Choosing
Teacher reinforces:
“Good choices start with thinking.”
Assessment (Informal)
Students can:
Recognize and explain what a choice is
Identify a simple money choice
Take-Home Connection
Talk with someone at home about one money choice you noticed or helped make today.
Grades 3–5 Lesson Plan
Grade Band: 3–5 (Ages 8–10)
Big Idea
I am in charge of my money choices, and my choices have consequences or results. Good choices come from thinking things through.
Learning Objectives
Students can:
Recall and explain the meaning of the word choice
Identify money choices and describe the trade-offs involved
Explain how thinking ahead leads to different outcomes
Standards Alignment
Council for Economic Education (CEE): Decision Making (costs and benefits)
Jump$tart Coalition: Financial Decision Making
National Financial Educators Council (NFEC): Behavioral awareness
CASEL: Self-Control, Reflection
Materials
Dictionary definition of Choice (kid and grown-up versions)
Scenario cards (save vs. spend, buy now vs. wait, share vs. keep)
Chart paper or board
Lesson Flow (20–25 minutes)
1. Word Reintroduction & Meaning Check (4 minutes)
Teacher says:
“Today’s word is choice.”
Ask:
“Who remembers what the word choice means?”
Read the kid-friendly definition aloud.
Invite one or two students to restate it in their own words.
Reinforce:
“A choice means picking one option instead of another.”
2. Warm-Up Question (4 minutes)
Ask:
“Have you ever wished you made a different choice?”
Explain:
“Thinking first helps us make better choices.”
3. Read & Analyze the Definition (5 minutes)
Read the grown-up dictionary definition.
Ask:
“Why does every choice matter?”
“What usually happens when we choose one option?”
Write on the board:
Choice → Result
4. Scenario Activity (8–10 minutes)
Present scenarios and ask:
“What are the choices?”
“What do you give up with each choice?”
Introduce and reinforce language:
“When you choose one thing, you give up another.”
5. Reflection (4–5 minutes)
Students complete:
“One smart money choice I can make is…”
“One way I can improve my choices is…”
Assessment (Informal)
Students can:
Explain what a choice is
Identify choices and trade-offs in a scenario
Describe why thinking ahead matters
Take-Home Extension
“Notice one money choice this week and reflect on what happened.”
Grades 6–8 Lesson Plan
Grade Band: 6–8 (Ages 11–13)
Big Idea
I am responsible for my money choices, and my repeated choices shape my future.
Learning Objectives
Students can:
Accurately define the word choice in their own words
Analyze how money choices involve trade-offs
Explain how repeated choices influence long-term goals
Standards Alignment
Council for Economic Education (CEE): Decision Making (costs, benefits, outcomes)
Jump$tart Coalition: Financial Decision Making
National Financial Educators Council (NFEC): Informed decision-making
CASEL: Self-Management, Social Awareness
Materials
Dictionary definition of Choice
Scenario comparison worksheet
Optional goal-reflection worksheet
Lesson Flow (30 minutes)
1. Word Reintroduction & Precision Check (5 minutes)
Teacher says:
“Today’s focus word is choice.”
Ask:
“How would you define the word choice?”
Read the dictionary definition.
Invite students to refine or improve their definitions.
Reinforce:
“A choice always means saying yes to one thing and no to another.”
2. Opening Question (5 minutes)
Ask:
“How can small choices today affect your future?”
Discuss habits and patterns.
3. Definition Discussion & Framing (5 minutes)
Ask:
“Why do repeated choices matter more than one-time decisions?”
“How do choices turn into habits?”
Connect to money:
Spending
Saving
Time and priorities
4. Scenario Comparison (10 minutes)
Compare:
Student A makes quick, unplanned choices
Student B pauses and evaluates options
Ask:
“Who has more control?”
“Who is more likely to reach their goals?”
Highlight trade-offs and outcomes.
5. Personal Application (5 minutes)
Students write:
One money choice they make often
One way they could improve that choice
One future goal affected by that choice
Assessment
Students can:
Clearly define choice
Explain trade-offs using real examples
Connect repeated choices to long-term outcomes
Real-World Extension
Connect to:
Saving goals
Spending decisions
Peer pressure and advertising
Teacher Notes
Emphasize thinking, not perfection
Reinforce that mistakes are learning opportunities
Highlight that habits are repeated choices
Pair with dictionary lessons for Save, Budget, and Goal
Bottom Line
The word Choice helps students understand that money decisions are intentional and powerful. When learners regularly revisit the definition, apply it to real situations, and reflect on outcomes, they build awareness and habits that support confidence, responsibility, and lifelong financial well-being.
Download the Standards Alignment PDF
If you’d like a downloadable PDF version of this and all of Sammy Rabbit's financial literacy standards aligned lesson plans for classroom use, curriculum review, or district adoption, please contact us. We’re happy to provide a printable version aligned with national and state standards.
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