Lesson Plans
Dictionary Term Focus: Money
Core Concept Across All Grades
Money is a tool people use to earn, save, spend, and plan. When children understand what money is and how it works, they can make better choices and build strong financial habits.
K–2 Lesson Plan
Grade Band: K–2 (Ages 5–7)
Big Idea
Money is a tool people use to get things they need and want now and in the future.
Learning Objective
Students can explain what money is and what it is used for.
Standards Alignment
Council for Economic Education (CEE): Money Management, Decision Making
Jump$tart Coalition: Financial Decision Making
National Financial Educators Council (NFEC): Money awareness and responsibility
CASEL: Self-Management, Responsible Decision-Making
Materials
Dictionary definition of Money (kid-friendly version)
Play money or coins
Picture cards showing items people buy (food, toys, clothes, books)
Lesson Flow (15–20 minutes)
1. Warm-Up Conversation (3 minutes)
Ask:
“What do people use money for?”
“Where have you seen money being used?”
Explain:
"How does money help people get things they need and want today?" "How does money help people get things they need and want in the future?"
2. Read & Discuss the Definition (5 minutes)
Read the kid-friendly dictionary definition of Money.
Ask:
“Can money help us do things?”
“Can we use money in different ways?”
Key idea:
“Money is a tool, not a toy.”
3. Guided Practice (5 minutes)
Show picture cards and ask:
“Would someone use money for this?”
“Is this a need or a want?”
Students respond by saying:
“Money is a tool that gives us choices.”
4. Practice Activity (5 minutes)
Give students play money and ask them to:
Pretend to earn money
Pretend to save money
Pretend to spend money
Teacher reinforces:
“Money is a tool we use wisely and thoughtfully.”
Assessment (Informal)
Students can:
Explain what money is
Give one example of how money is used
Take-Home Connection
“Talk with someone at home about one way your family uses money.”
Grades 3–5 Lesson Plan
Grade Band: 3–5 (Ages 8–10)
Big Idea
Money is a tool that gives people more choices.
Previous Grade Band K-2: Money is a tool people use to get things they need and want noriw and in the future.
Learning Objective
Students will explain how money is used to earn, save, spend, and plan.
Standards Alignment
CEE: Money Management, Decision Making
Jump$tart: Financial Decision Making
NFEC: Financial responsibility and awareness
CASEL: Self-Control, Reflection
Materials
Dictionary definition of Money (kid + grown-up versions)
Scenario cards (earning, saving, spending situations)
Chart paper or board
Lesson Flow (20–25 minutes)
1. Warm-Up Question (5 minutes)
Ask:
“If money disappeared tomorrow, what would be harder?”
Explain:
“Money makes it easier for people to trade - to get things they want and need.”
2. Read & Analyze the Definition (5 minutes)
Read both versions of the dictionary definition.
Ask:
“Is money good or bad by itself?”
“What matters more—money or how we use it?”
Write on the board:
Money → Choices → Results
3. Scenario Activity (10 minutes)
Present scenarios and ask:
“How is money being used here?”
“What choice is being made?”
Discuss:
“Money is a tool, and tools can be used wisely or unwisely.”
4. Reflection (5 minutes)
Students complete:
“One smart way to use money is…”
“Money helps me because…”
Assessment
Students can:
Explain money as a tool
Identify different ways money is used
Take-Home Extension
“Notice one way money is used at home and talk about the choice behind it.”
Grades 6–8 Lesson Plan
Grade Band: 6–8 (Ages 11–13)
Big Idea
How I use money affects my future.
Previous Grade Band 3-5: Money is a tool that gives people more choices.
Previous Grade Band K-2: Money is a tool people use to get things they need and want noriw and in the future.
Learning Objective
Students will analyze how money functions as a tool for earning, saving, spending, and planning toward dreams and goals - things they may want or need in the future.
Standards Alignment
CEE: Money Management, Decision Making
Jump$tart: Financial Decision Making
NFEC: Informed money behavior
CASEL: Self-Management, Social Awareness
Materials
Dictionary definition of Money
Scenario comparison worksheet
Optional goal-planning worksheet
Lesson Flow (30 minutes)
1. Opening Question (5 minutes)
Ask:
“Why do people say money is a tool?”
Discuss how tools can help or hurt depending on use.
2. Definition Discussion (5 minutes)
Review the dictionary definition.
Introduce student-friendly explanation:
“Money doesn’t decide—people do.”
3. Scenario Comparison (10 minutes)
Compare:
Student A uses money without a plan
Student B uses money with goals in mind
Ask:
“Who has more options later?”
“Who feels more in control?”
Connect to:
Saving
Spending
Planning for goals
4. Personal Application (10 minutes)
Students write:
One way they use money now
One way they want to improve how they use money
One future goal money could help support
Assessment
Students can:
Explain money as a tool
Connect money use to future outcomes
Real-World Extension
Connect to:
Allowance or earnings
Saving and budgeting
Goal-setting and planning
Teacher Notes
Emphasize that money itself is neutral
Focus on behavior, not amounts
Reinforce that choices determine outcomes
Pair with dictionary lessons for Choice, Save, Earn, and Budget
Bottom Line
The word Money helps children understand that money is a tool they can learn to use wisely. When kids understand what money is and how it works, they are better prepared to make smart choices, build healthy habits, and plan for their future.
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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