Standards-Aligned Financial Literacy Lesson Plans to Teach Goal Setting, Budgeting, and Thoughtful Decision-making. Featured Resource: Song — Plan!
Core Concept Across All Grades
Planning helps children manage money, set goals, and make thoughtful decisions by thinking ahead and taking intentional action.
K–2 Lesson Plan
Grade Band: K–2 (Ages 5–7)
Big Idea
I can think ahead and make a plan.
Learning Objective (Student-Friendly)
“I can make a simple plan to help me reach a goal.”
Standards Alignment
CEE – Decision Making: Thinking ahead before acting
CEE – Money Management: Organizing choices
Jump$tart – Financial Decision Making: Goal awareness
CASEL: Self-management and confidence
Materials
Paper and crayons
Simple picture cards showing goals (toy, book, field trip, treat)
Lesson Flow (15–20 minutes)
1. Warm-Up Conversation (3 minutes)
Ask:
“What do you want to do later today?”
“How do you get ready for something important?”
Explain:
“A plan helps us get ready and feel confident.”
2. Listen & Imagine (5 minutes)
Play the song and follow along with the lyrics.
Ask students to:
Close their eyes and imagine planning for something they want
3. Guided Discussion (5 minutes)
Ask:
“What does the song say about having a plan?”
“Does a plan help before or after you act?”
Key idea:
“Plans help us before we start.”
4. Practice Activity (5 minutes)
Students draw:
One goal
One step they could take to reach it
Teacher says:
“You just made a plan.”
Assessment (Informal)
Students can:
Explain what a plan is
Share one step toward a goal
Take-Home Connection
“Talk with an adult about one plan you have this week.”
Grades 3–5 Lesson Plan
Grade Band: 3–5 (Ages 8–10)
Big Idea
Planning helps me reach my goals.
Learning Objective
Students will explain how planning ahead helps them make better money and goal-related decisions.
Standards Alignment
CEE – Decision Making: Comparing options
CEE – Money Management: Planning and tracking
Jump$tart – Budgeting: Goal setting
NFEC: Responsibility and follow-through
CASEL: Self-control and perseverance
Materials
Chart paper or board
Simple goal-planning worksheet (Goal → Steps → Check Progress)
Lesson Flow (20–25 minutes)
1. Warm-Up Question (5 minutes)
Ask:
“Have you ever started something without a plan? What happened?”
Introduce:
“Plans help us avoid confusion.”
2. Song Analysis (5 minutes)
Play the song and review the lyrics.
Ask:
“What does the song say about working a plan?”
“Why is writing things down helpful?”
Write on the board:
Goal → Plan → Action → Progress
3. Activity: Make a Simple Plan (10 minutes)
Students choose a goal (saving money, finishing homework, earning something).
They list:
One goal
Two steps
One way to track progress
Discuss:
“Plans can change as you learn.”
4. Reflection (5 minutes)
Students complete:
“A plan helps me because…”
“One step I will take is…”
Assessment
Students can:
Describe planning as steps toward a goal
Explain why planning improves outcomes
Take-Home Extension
“Track one step of a plan this week and reflect on it.”
Grades 6–8 Lesson Plan
Grade Band: 6–8 (Ages 11–13)
Big Idea
Success comes from planning and follow-through.
Learning Objective
Students will analyze how planning, tracking, and perseverance support long-term financial and personal goals.
Standards Alignment
CEE – Decision Making: Costs, benefits, and outcomes
CEE – Money Management: Budgeting and planning
Jump$tart – Budgeting: Financial planning foundations
NFEC: Goal-oriented behavior
CASEL: Self-management and responsibility
Materials
Scenario comparison worksheet
Optional goal-tracking or budget template
Lesson Flow (30 minutes)
1. Opening Question (5 minutes)
Ask:
“Why do goals fail without a plan?”
Discuss effort vs. structure.
2. Song Discussion (5 minutes)
Play the song and review the lyrics.
Ask:
“How does planning reduce stress?”
“Why is follow-through important?”
Introduce:
“A plan turns goals into actions.”
3. Scenario Comparison (10 minutes)
Compare:
Student A sets a goal and plans steps
Student B has a goal but no plan
Ask:
“Who is more likely to succeed?”
“Who can adjust when something changes?”
Connect to:
Budgeting
Saving goals
Time management
4. Personal Application (10 minutes)
Students write:
One short- or long-term goal
Three steps in their plan
One way they will track progress
Assessment
Students can:
Explain why planning improves success
Connect planning to financial and life goals
Real-World Extension
Connect to:
Saving for goals
School projects
Career and life planning
Teacher Notes (All Grades)
Emphasize planning as flexible, not rigid
Reinforce effort and adjustment
Normalize revising plans
Pair with Budget!, Make Your Choices Count, and Anyone Can Be Rich
Bottom Line
Plan teaches children that success—financial or otherwise—starts with thinking ahead, setting goals, and working a plan one step at a time.
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