Money Matters Slides MONEY MATTERS
An Introduction to Financial Literacy
What is Financial Literacy?
It's the ability to understand and use various financial skills.
Personal financial management
Budgeting and saving
Investing and growing wealth
"Being smart with your money today helps you build the life you want tomorrow."
The "Big Three" Concepts
Value
Understanding how much things cost and the effort required to earn money.
Budgeting
A plan for every dollar you have. Tracking where it comes from and where it goes.
Saving
Putting money aside for future needs, wants, or emergencies.
Budgeting: Needs vs. Wants
Needs
Things you MUST have to survive and function.
• Food & Water
• Shelter/Rent
• Basic Clothing
• Transportation
Wants
Things you'd LIKE to have, but aren't essential.
• Video Games
• Movie Tickets
• Designer Shoes
• Eating Out
Smart Tip: Always pay for your needs first!
Ready to take control?
You're about to manage your own hypothetical $50 allowance. How will you balance your budget to make sure you have what you need AND save for what you want?
Let's Get Started
Financial Literacy Lesson Plan Financial Literacy Basics
Lesson Plan • 6th Grade
Duration 60 Mins
Learning Objective
Students will understand basic financial concepts including saving, budgeting, and the value of money through hands-on activities and real-life scenarios.
Why This Matters
"This lesson introduces 6th-grade students to basic financial concepts... helping them understand the importance of financial literacy in their daily lives."
Materials Needed
Chart paper & Markers
Budget Worksheet
Scenario Cards
Discussion Questions
Instructional Sequence
1
Introduction
10 mins
Explain the importance of financial literacy. Describe key concepts such as saving, budgeting, and understanding the value of money. Use real-life examples to make it relatable.
"Think about the last thing you bought. Was it a need or a want? How did you get the money for it?"
2
Group Activity: Budgeting
20 mins
Divide students into small groups. Provide each group with a Budget Worksheet . Instruct them to plan a budget for a hypothetical allowance of $50 per week, including expenses like savings, entertainment, and necessities.
Ensure students define their specific "necessities" vs "wants".
Have groups present their budgets to the class at the end of the time.
3
Hands-On Activity: Scenario Cards
20 mins
Distribute Scenario Cards to each group. Each card presents a financial scenario that requires students to make decisions (e.g., planning a family dinner on a budget, saving for a toy).
Have groups discuss and decide how they would handle the scenario.
Discuss results as a class, focusing on the trade-offs they had to make.
4
Closure & Reflection
10 mins
Summarize key lessons learned about saving, budgeting, and the importance of financial literacy. Facilitate a discussion using the prepared questions. Prompt students to reflect on how they can apply these concepts in their daily lives.
Budget Worksheet The $50 Challenge
Budget Planning Worksheet
Name:
Date:
The Scenario: You have a hypothetical weekly allowance of $50.00 . Your goal is to plan exactly how you will spend, save, or use this money for the week.
1. Brainstorm: What will you spend your $50 on?
List all items, including your needs (necessities) and your wants (entertainment/savings).
2. Categorize & Allocate
Group your items and decide how much money goes to each category. Total must equal $50.
Category Items Included Amount Necessities $ Entertainment $ Savings $ TOTAL WEEKLY BUDGET: $ 50.00
3. Explain Your Choices
Consider what was most important to you. Why did you allocate more to one category than another?
Scenario Cards Activity Scenario Challenge Cards
Group Discussion & Decision-Making Activity
"Cut out the cards below. In your group, discuss the financial scenario presented. Think about needs vs. wants, budgeting, and the value of every dollar before making your final decision."
Scenario #1: The Goal
The New Game
You receive an allowance of $10 per week . You really want to buy a new game that costs $50 . You want to have enough money to buy it in 6 weeks .
Group Decision / Strategy:
Scenario #2: The Planner
Family Picnic Budget
Your family is going on a picnic! You have been put in charge of planning the snacks and drinks for 5 people . Your total budget is $25.00 .
Group Decision / Strategy:
Scenario #3: The Giver
Birthday Surprise
Your best friend's birthday is coming up in one month. You want to buy a special gift that costs $30 . How will you manage your weekly allowance to save for it?
Group Decision / Strategy:
Scenario #4: The Saver
The Big Windfall
You have worked hard and saved $100.00 in your piggy bank! You now have to decide: will you spend it, keep saving it, or invest some of it?
Group Decision / Strategy:
Cut along the dashed lines
Money Talk Discussion Guide Money Talk
Class Discussion Guide
Use these questions to facilitate a deep-dive conversation with the class after completing the activities. These prompts are designed to help students connect financial concepts to real-world decision-making.
1
Why is it important to save money?
Discussion Points: Emergency funds, future goals, buying high-cost items, peace of mind.
2
What are some strategies for managing a budget?
Discussion Points: Budgeting apps, physical notebooks, the "50/30/20" rule, tracking every penny.
3
How can budgeting help you make better financial decisions?
Discussion Points: Avoiding impulse buys, prioritizing needs over wants, feeling "in control" of money.
Teacher Tip: Encourage students to share personal stories (if comfortable) about a time they saved up for something they really wanted. This makes the abstract concept of "delayed gratification" much more concrete.
Financial Literacy Basics
