Lesson Plans
Dictionary Term Focus: Money
Core Concept Across All Grades
Money is a tool people use to help meet needs, reach goals, and make choices. When children learn what money is and how it is used, they build understanding and habits that support thoughtful decision-making over time.
K–2 Lesson Plan
Grade Band: K–2 (Ages 5–7)
Big Ideas
Money is a tool people use to get things they need and want.
I can use money thoughtfully by stopping and thinking before I use it.
Learning Objectives
Learners can:
Recognize and understand the word money
Explain that money is used to get things people need and want
Identify simple ways money can be used, saved, or spent
Standards Alignment
Council for Economic Education (CEE): Money and Exchange
Jump$tart Coalition: Financial Decision Making
National Financial Educators Council (NFEC): Money basics
CASEL: Self-Management, Responsible Decision-Making
Materials
Dictionary definition of Money (kid-friendly version)
Real or play coins and bills
Picture cards showing needs and wants (food, toy, book, clothes)
Lesson Flow (15–20 minutes)
1. Word Introduction & Sound Familiarity (2 minutes)
Teacher says:
“Today’s word is money.”
Have students:
Listen to the word
Say the word together: “Money.”
Say it once more slowly: “Mon-ey.”
Teacher models the word in simple sentences:
“We use money to buy food.”
“Money helps us get things we need.”
Explain:
“Today we are going to learn what the word money means.”
2. Simple Definition & Meaning (3 minutes)
Teacher says and displays the definition:
“Money is something people use to buy things.”
Have students repeat the sentence together once.
Teacher gives a concrete example:
“We use money to buy food at the store.”
“That is using money.”
3. Warm-Up Conversation: Everyday Connections (3 minutes)
Ask:
“Where have you seen money before?”
“What do people use money for?”
Reinforce:
“Money helps people get things they need and want.”
4. Bridge to Money Choices (3 minutes)
Teacher says:
“People make choices with money.”
Ask:
“What have you seen someone buy with money?”
“Have you ever helped choose how money was used?”
Offer examples if needed:
“Buying groceries”
“Saving coins”
“Buying a toy or book”
Reinforce:
“When we use money, we are making a choice.”
5. Read & Discuss the Definition (4 minutes)
Read the kid-friendly dictionary definition of money again.
Ask:
“Can we use the same money more than once?”
“What happens after money is spent?”
Key idea to reinforce:
“When money is spent, it is used up.”
6. Guided Practice (3 minutes)
Show picture cards and ask:
“Would you use money for this?”
“Is this something people need or want?”
Students respond using the sentence frame:
“Money is used to get ____.”
7. Practice Activity: Show and Sort (3–4 minutes)
Students sort picture cards into:
Things people use money for
Things money cannot buy (friends, kindness)
Teacher reinforces:
“Money is a helpful tool, but it is not everything.”
Assessment (Informal)
Students can:
Recognize and explain what money is
Identify something money can be used for
Take-Home Connection
“Talk with someone at home about one way money was used today.”
Grades 3–5 Lesson Plan
Grade Band: 3–5 (Ages 8–10)
Big Idea
Money is a tool that helps people make choices, meet needs, and reach goals.
Learning Objectives
Students can:
Define the word money in their own words
Explain different ways money can be used
Describe how money choices affect outcomes
Standards Alignment
CEE: Money and Exchange; Decision Making
Jump$tart Coalition: Financial Decision Making
NFEC: Financial awareness
CASEL: Self-Control, Reflection
Materials
Dictionary definition of Money (kid and grown-up versions)
Scenario cards (save, spend, share)
Chart paper or board
Lesson Flow (20–25 minutes)
1. Word Reintroduction & Meaning Check (4 minutes)
Teacher says:
“Today’s word is money.”
Ask:
“How would you explain what money is?”
Read the kid-friendly definition.
Invite students to restate it in their own words.
Reinforce:
“Money is a tool people use to make choices.”
2. Warm-Up Question (4 minutes)
Ask:
“What are some ways people use money?”
List responses on the board.
3. Read & Analyze the Definition (5 minutes)
Read the grown-up dictionary definition.
Ask:
“Why do people need money?”
“What happens when money is used one way instead of another?”
Write on the board:
Money → Choice → Result
4. Scenario Activity (8–10 minutes)
Present scenarios and ask:
“How could money be used here?”
“What happens if you choose one option?”
Reinforce:
“Money choices often involve trade-offs.”
5. Reflection (4–5 minutes)
Students complete:
“Money helps people by…”
“One smart way to use money is…”
Assessment (Informal)
Students can:
Explain what money is
Identify different uses of money
Describe how money choices lead to outcomes
Take-Home Extension
“Notice one way money is used this week and what it helps accomplish.”
Grades 6–8 Lesson Plan
Grade Band: 6–8 (Ages 11–13)
Big Idea
Money is a tool, and how I use it influences my choices, habits, and future.
Learning Objectives
Students can:
Clearly define the word money
Analyze how money is used to support goals and priorities
Explain how money habits affect long-term outcomes
Standards Alignment
CEE: Money and Exchange; Decision Making
Jump$tart Coalition: Financial Decision Making
NFEC: Informed financial behavior
CASEL: Self-Management, Social Awareness
Materials
Dictionary definition of Money
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 money.”
Ask:
“How would you define money?”
“What makes money a tool?”
Read the dictionary definition and refine responses.
2. Opening Question (5 minutes)
Ask:
“How does money affect everyday decisions?”
Discuss patterns and habits.
3. Definition Discussion & Framing (5 minutes)
Ask:
“What can money do?”
“What can money not do?”
Connect to:
Spending
Saving
Priorities and goals
4. Scenario Analysis (10 minutes)
Compare:
Thoughtful money use
Impulsive money use
Ask:
“Which approach creates more options?”
“Which supports long-term goals?”
5. Personal Application (5 minutes)
Students write:
One way they use money now
One money habit they want to improve
One future goal money can help support
Assessment
Students can:
Define money accurately
Explain money as a tool
Connect money habits to future outcomes
Real-World Extension
Connect to:
Saving and spending habits
Advertising and influence
Short-term vs. long-term thinking
Teacher Notes
Reinforce that money is a tool, not a goal
Emphasize thinking, not perfection
Highlight that habits shape outcomes
Pair with dictionary lessons for Choice, Save, Spend, and Budget
Bottom Line
The word Money helps students understand that money is a practical tool used to make choices and reach goals. By learning what money is, how it works, and how it is used, students begin building awareness and habits that support confident, responsible decision-making over time.
If you’d like next, we can:
Build Save using this same locked format
Create a Money + Choice mini-unit
Turn these into print-ready lesson plan PDFs for Money School
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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