Lesson Plans
Dictionary Term Focus: Earn
Core Concept Across All Grades
Earning money means receiving money by doing work, helping others, or providing value. When children learn that money is earned through effort, they build responsibility, confidence, and respect for how money is used.
K–2 Lesson Plan
Grade Band: K–2 (Ages 5–7)
Big Ideas
Earning money means doing work or helping others.
I can earn money by giving my time and effort.
Money does not just appear—it is earned.
Learning Objectives
Learners can:
Recognize and understand the word earn
Explain that earning means getting money by doing work or helping others
Identify simple examples of earning money
Standards Alignment
Council for Economic Education (CEE): Income
Jump$tart Coalition: Earning Income
National Financial Educators Council (NFEC): Responsibility and effort
CASEL: Self-Management, Responsible Decision-Making
Materials
Dictionary definition of Earn (kid-friendly version)
Picture cards showing work and helping tasks (chores, lemonade stand, pet care)
Play money or counters
Lesson Flow (15–20 minutes)
1. Word Introduction & Sound Familiarity (2 minutes)
Teacher says:
“Today’s word is earn.”
Have students:
Listen to the word
Say the word together: “Earn.”
Say it once more slowly: “Earn.”
Teacher uses the word in simple sentences:
“I earn money when I do work.”
“You can earn money by helping others.”
Explain:
“Today we are going to learn what the word earn means.”
2. Simple Definition & Meaning (3 minutes)
Teacher says and displays the definition:
“To earn means to get money by doing work or helping others.”
Have students repeat the sentence together once.
Teacher gives a concrete example:
“If I clean my room and get paid, I earn money.”
“That is earning.”
3. Warm-Up Conversation: Everyday Connections (3 minutes)
Ask:
“What are some jobs or chores kids can do?”
“Who has helped someone before?”
Reinforce:
“When you work or help, you can earn money.”
4. Bridge to Money Habits (3 minutes)
Teacher says:
“Earning money is a habit. It’s something we practice again and again.”
Ask:
“How does it feel to earn your own money?”
“What could you do with money you earn?”
Offer examples if needed:
“Save it”
“Spend some”
“Share or give”
Reinforce:
“Money you earn feels special because you worked for it.”
5. Read & Discuss the Definition (4 minutes)
Read the kid-friendly dictionary definition of earn again.
Ask:
“Do we earn money by waiting?”
“Do we earn money by helping or working?”
Key idea to reinforce:
“Earning means effort.”
6. Guided Practice (3 minutes)
Show picture cards and ask:
“Is this earning or not earning?”
“What work is being done here?”
Students respond using the sentence frame:
“You earn money by ____.”
7. Practice Activity: Act It Out (3–4 minutes)
Students act out:
Doing a chore
Helping someone
Receiving earned money
Teacher reinforces:
“Earning money is something to feel proud of.”
Assessment (Informal)
Students can:
Explain what earning means
Identify an example of earning money
Take-Home Connection
“Talk with someone at home about one way you could earn money by helping others.”
Grades 3–5 Lesson Plan
Grade Band: 3–5 (Ages 8–10)
Big Idea
Earning money means providing effort, work, or value, and it helps me understand the value of money.
Learning Objectives
Students can:
Explain the meaning of the word earn
Identify different ways people earn money
Describe why earning money is important
Standards Alignment
CEE: Income
Jump$tart Coalition: Earning Income
NFEC: Financial responsibility
CASEL: Self-Control, Reflection
Materials
Dictionary definition of Earn (kid and grown-up versions)
Scenario cards (chores, small jobs, helping tasks)
Chart paper or board
Lesson Flow (20–25 minutes)
1. Word Reintroduction & Meaning Check (4 minutes)
Teacher says:
“Today’s word is earn.”
Ask:
“How would you explain what it means to earn money?”
Read the kid-friendly definition.
Invite students to restate it in their own words.
Reinforce:
“You earn money by doing something useful or helpful.”
2. Warm-Up Question (4 minutes)
Ask:
“What are some ways kids and adults earn money?”
List responses.
3. Read & Analyze the Definition (5 minutes)
Read the grown-up definition.
Ask:
“Why do people earn money instead of just getting it?”
“How does earning money change how we use it?”
Write on the board:
Earn → Value → Choice
4. Scenario Activity (8–10 minutes)
Present scenarios and ask:
“Is money earned here?”
“What work or value is being provided?”
Reinforce:
“Earning connects effort to money.”
5. Reflection (4–5 minutes)
Students complete:
“I can earn money by…”
“Earning money helps me learn…”
Assessment (Informal)
Students can:
Define earning accurately
Identify earning vs. not earning
Explain why earning money matters
Take-Home Extension
“Notice one time this week when someone earns money by helping or working.”
Grades 6–8 Lesson Plan
Grade Band: 6–8 (Ages 11–13)
Big Idea
Earning money builds independence, responsibility, and respect for the value of work.
Learning Objectives
Students can:
Clearly define the word earn
Analyze how earning money connects effort to income
Explain how earning supports saving, spending, and long-term goals
Standards Alignment
CEE: Income; Decision Making
Jump$tart Coalition: Earning Income
NFEC: Informed financial behavior
CASEL: Self-Management, Goal Setting
Materials
Dictionary definition of Earn
Scenario analysis worksheet
Optional goal-reflection worksheet
Lesson Flow (30 minutes)
1. Word Reintroduction & Precision Check (5 minutes)
Teacher says:
“Today’s focus word is earn.”
Ask:
“How would you define earning money?”
“Why does earning matter?”
Read and refine definitions.
2. Opening Question (5 minutes)
Ask:
“How does earning your own money change the way you think about it?”
Discuss habits and mindset.
3. Definition Discussion & Framing (5 minutes)
Ask:
“What skills can earning money help build?”
“How does earning affect independence?”
Connect to:
Responsibility
Confidence
Value creation
4. Scenario Comparison (10 minutes)
Compare:
Earned money
Given money
Ask:
“How might each affect decisions?”
“Which encourages responsibility?”
5. Personal Application (5 minutes)
Students write:
One way they could earn money now or in the future
One skill earning could help them build
One goal earning money could support
Assessment
Students can:
Define earning clearly
Explain how earning connects effort to income
Describe why earning supports long-term success
Real-World Extension
Connect to:
Jobs and entrepreneurship
Allowances vs. earned money
Fair pay and effort
Teacher Notes
Emphasize effort and value, not just payment
Reinforce earning as a habit
Avoid shaming or comparison
Pair with dictionary lessons for Money, Save, Spend, and Choice
Bottom Line
The word Earn helps children understand that money comes from effort, work, and helping others. When kids learn to earn money, they build confidence, responsibility, and respect for the value of money they choose to save, spend, or share.
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