Budget Basics Teacher Guide
A comprehensive teacher guide for the 30-minute Money Smarts lesson, including a timed instructional arc, materials checklist, and key discussion prompts.
Needs or Wants Do Now
A quick 5-minute Do Now worksheet where students categorize 10 common items as 'Needs' or 'Wants' and reflect on the gray areas of spending.
Money Smarts Slides
A visual presentation for the Money Smarts lesson, covering core budgeting concepts, needs vs. wants, and introduction to the Budget Builder game.
Budget Builder Challenge
A budget simulation game where students choose from various lifestyle options while attempting to stay within a $150 weekly budget and meet a savings goal.
Weekly Budget Sheet
A clean budgeting worksheet where students calculate their 10% savings and allocate their remaining $150 income across various expense categories.
Trade-Off Talk Discussion Guide
A discussion guide with four targeted prompts to help students reflect on the trade-offs they made during the budgeting challenge and discuss their choices with peers.
Savings Goal Exit Ticket
A dual-format exit ticket focusing on 10% savings calculations and student reflection on budget trade-offs and real-life spending goals.
