Lesson Plans
Dictionary Term Focus: Plan
Core Concept Across All Grades
A plan is a way to decide what you will do before you do it. When children learn to make and follow a money plan, they protect their money, reduce mistakes, and make it easier to reach their goals.
K–2 Lesson Plan
Grade Band: K–2 (Ages 5–7)
Big Ideas
A plan helps me decide what to do before I do it.
A money plan helps my money have a purpose.
Having a plan helps me make better choices.
Learning Objectives
Learners can:
Recognize and understand the word plan
Explain that a plan helps decide what to do ahead of time
Identify a simple example of a money plan
Standards Alignment
Council for Economic Education (CEE): Decision Making
Jump$tart Coalition: Financial Decision Making
National Financial Educators Council (NFEC): Money management awareness
CASEL: Self-Management, Responsible Decision-Making
Materials
Dictionary definition of Plan (kid-friendly version)
Picture cards showing steps (save → spend → reach goal)
Play money or counters
Lesson Flow (15–20 minutes)
1. Word Introduction & Sound Familiarity (2 minutes)
Teacher says:
“Today’s word is plan.”
Have students:
Listen to the word
Say the word together: “Plan.”
Say it once more slowly: “Plan.”
Teacher uses the word in simple sentences:
“I make a plan before I start.”
“A plan helps me know what to do.”
Explain:
“Today we are going to learn what the word plan means.”
2. Simple Definition & Meaning (3 minutes)
Teacher says and displays the definition:
“A plan is a way to decide what you will do before you do it.”
Have students repeat the sentence together once.
Teacher gives a concrete example:
“Before saving money, I make a plan.”
“That helps me know what to do.”
3. Warm-Up Conversation: Planning in Everyday Life (3 minutes)
Ask:
“Do you make a plan before a trip or a game?”
“Why do plans help?”
Reinforce:
“Plans help us feel ready.”
4. Bridge to Money Planning (3 minutes)
Teacher says:
“People can make plans for their money too.”
Ask:
“What happens if we spend money without a plan?”
“How can a plan help us?”
Offer examples if needed:
“Saving some money”
“Reaching a goal”
“Not running out”
Reinforce:
“A money plan protects our money.”
5. Read & Discuss the Definition (4 minutes)
Read the kid-friendly dictionary definition of plan again.
Ask:
“Is a plan made before or after?”
“Does a plan help us choose?”
Key idea to reinforce:
“A plan comes first.”
6. Guided Practice (3 minutes)
Show picture cards and ask:
“What should we do first?”
“What comes next?”
Students respond using the sentence frame:
“My plan is to ___.”
7. Practice Activity: Plan the Steps (3–4 minutes)
Students act out:
Choosing a goal
Making a plan
Taking one small step
Teacher reinforces:
“Plans help dreams come true.”
Assessment (Informal)
Students can:
Explain what a plan is
Identify one way a plan helps with money
Take-Home Connection
“Talk with someone at home about one simple plan you can make together.”
Grades 3–5 Lesson Plan
Grade Band: 3–5 (Ages 8–10)
Big Idea
A plan helps organize money and protects it from being used without purpose.
Learning Objectives
Students can:
Explain the meaning of the word plan
Describe how a money plan supports goals
Identify simple steps in a money plan
Standards Alignment
Council for Economic Education (CEE): Decision Making; Planning
Jump$tart Coalition: Financial Decision Making
National Financial Educators Council (NFEC): Financial awareness
CASEL: Self-Control, Reflection
Materials
Dictionary definition of Plan (kid and grown-up versions)
Scenario cards (planned vs. unplanned spending)
Chart paper or board
Lesson Flow (20–25 minutes)
1. Word Reintroduction & Meaning Check (4 minutes)
Teacher says:
“Today’s word is plan.”
Ask:
“How would you explain a plan in your own words?”
Read the kid-friendly definition.
Invite students to restate it.
Reinforce:
“A plan is deciding ahead of time.”
2. Warm-Up Question (4 minutes)
Ask:
“What problems can happen without a plan?”
List responses.
3. Read & Analyze the Definition (5 minutes)
Read the grown-up definition.
Ask:
“How does a plan protect money?”
“How do plans support goals?”
Write on the board:
Plan → Steps → Outcome
4. Scenario Activity (8–10 minutes)
Present scenarios and ask:
“Which person has a plan?”
“What is the result?”
Reinforce:
“Plans reduce surprises.”
5. Reflection (4–5 minutes)
Students complete:
“A money plan helps me…”
“One step in my plan could be…”
Assessment (Informal)
Students can:
Define a plan
Explain how a plan helps money
Identify steps in a simple plan
Take-Home Extension
“Notice one time this week when planning helped with money or time.”
Grades 6–8 Lesson Plan
Grade Band: 6–8 (Ages 11–13)
Big Idea
A plan is a protective tool that helps align money with goals and values.
Learning Objectives
Students can:
Clearly define the word plan
Analyze how planning improves money decisions
Explain how plans reduce risk and increase confidence
Standards Alignment
Council for Economic Education (CEE): Decision Making; Planning
Jump$tart Coalition: Financial Decision Making
National Financial Educators Council (NFEC): Informed financial behavior
CASEL: Self-Management, Goal Setting
Materials
Dictionary definition of Plan
Scenario comparison worksheet
Optional step-by-step plan worksheet
Lesson Flow (30 minutes)
1. Word Reintroduction & Precision Check (5 minutes)
Teacher says:
“Today’s focus word is plan.”
Ask:
“How would you define a plan?”
“Why does planning protect money?”
Refine definitions together.
2. Opening Question (5 minutes)
Ask:
“How does planning change outcomes?”
Discuss real-life examples.
3. Definition Discussion & Framing (5 minutes)
Ask:
“What happens when people rely on guessing?”
“How does planning reduce stress?”
Connect to:
Budgeting
Goal setting
Long-term thinking
4. Scenario Comparison (10 minutes)
Compare:
Spending without a plan
Spending with a plan
Ask:
“Which creates better results?”
“Which feels more controlled?”
5. Personal Application (5 minutes)
Students write:
One money goal they have
One step in their money plan
One benefit of planning ahead
Assessment
Students can:
Define planning clearly
Explain how plans guide money choices
Connect planning to long-term success
Real-World Extension
Connect to:
Budgeting
Goal-based saving
Avoiding impulse spending
Teacher Notes
Emphasize planning as protection, not pressure
Reinforce flexibility—plans can change
Keep examples realistic and age-appropriate
Pair with dictionary lessons for Goal, Budget, Save, and Choice
Bottom Line
The word Plan helps children understand that preparation protects progress. When kids learn to plan their money, they gain clarity, confidence, and control—turning dreams into achievable steps.
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