Lesson Plan

Superhero Budget Training Plan

Students will be able to identify income and expenses, make spending choices, and understand saving in the context of a superhero theme.

Understanding budgeting at a young age helps students develop essential financial literacy skills, preparing them for responsible decision-making in the future.

Audience

1st Grade Students

Time

50 minutes

Approach

Interactive game-based learning and activity-driven application.

Materials

Become a Money Smart Hero! Slide Deck, - Budget City Challenge Game, - My Superhero Budget Badge Activity, - Money Smart Hero Assessment, - Play money (or printed cutouts), - Whiteboard or chart paper, and - Markers

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Review all generated materials: Superhero Budget Training Plan, Become a Money Smart Hero! Slide Deck, Budget City Challenge Game, My Superhero Budget Badge Activity, and Money Smart Hero Assessment.
Print and cut out play money (or prepare real play money).
Set up the projector/smartboard for the Become a Money Smart Hero! Slide Deck.

Step 1

Warm-Up: Superhero Needs & Wants (5 minutes)

5 minutes

Display the first slide of the Become a Money Smart Hero! Slide Deck.
Ask students: "If you were a superhero, what would you NEED to save the day? What would be some fun things you MIGHT WANT to have?"
Discuss their responses, introducing the terms 'needs' and 'wants'.

Step 2

Introduction: Budgeting Basics (10 minutes)

10 minutes

Continue through the Become a Money Smart Hero! Slide Deck to explain basic budgeting concepts: income (allowance, helping parents), expenses (needs, wants), and saving (for big goals).
Use simple examples relevant to 1st graders.

Step 3

Activity: Budget City Challenge Game (20 minutes)

20 minutes

Introduce the Budget City Challenge Game.
Divide students into small groups or pairs.
Provide each group with play money and guide them through the game, where they make budgeting decisions for their superhero.
Circulate and assist students, prompting discussions about their choices.

Step 4

Reflection: My Superhero Budget Badge (10 minutes)

10 minutes

Distribute the My Superhero Budget Badge Activity.
Have students reflect on their game experience and personal budgeting ideas by completing the activity.
Encourage them to draw or write about their superhero budgeting skills.

Step 5

Cool-Down & Assessment: Money Smart Hero (5 minutes)

5 minutes

Administer the Money Smart Hero Assessment as an exit ticket.
Collect assessments and review student understanding.
Praise students for their hard work and new 'Money Smart' superhero skills.

Slide Deck

Welcome, Money Smart Heroes!

Ready to learn how to be super with your money?

What do YOU think a Money Smart Hero does?

Welcome students and introduce the exciting theme of becoming 'Money Smart' superheroes. Ask an engaging question to activate prior knowledge.

Superhero Needs vs. Wants

Needs: Things your superhero MUST have to save the day!
(Food, water, a safe lair, a super suit!)

Wants: Things your superhero would LIKE to have, but doesn't need.
(A super cool cape, a fancy gadget, a giant cookie!)

What are some of your needs? What are some of your wants?

Introduce the concepts of needs and wants using examples relevant to a superhero. Encourage student participation.

Superhero Income!

Where does a superhero get their money?

Allowance for chores!
Helping neighbors (like washing a car)!
Saving money found in cushions!

This is your INCOME – the money you get!

Explain income in simple terms, using examples like allowance or helping around the house.

Superhero Expenses!

Where does a superhero's money go?

Buying super snacks (a need!)
Fixing a broken gadget (a need!)
Getting a new video game (a want!)

These are your EXPENSES – the money you spend!

Discuss expenses as where money goes. Relate it back to needs and wants.

Saving for Super Goals!

What if your superhero wants a super cool, extra-fast rocket ship?

They need to SAVE their money!

Saving means putting money aside for something you want later.

What are you saving for?

Introduce the idea of saving for future goals. Use an example a 1st grader can relate to.

Be a Budgeting Boss!

Money Smart Heroes know:

What their income is.
What their needs and wants are.
How to save for super goals!

Ready for the Budget City Challenge?

Summarize the key budgeting components and prepare them for the game.

Game

Budget City Challenge

Welcome, Money Smart Heroes! Budget City needs your help! You've just received your weekly "Superhero Allowance" of $10.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to make smart choices to keep Budget City safe and happy.

Your Allowance: $10 (Your Income!)

Challenge 1: Superhero Needs!

Every hero has needs to stay strong and ready for action. You MUST spend money on these things.

Healthy Hero Snack: $2 (You need energy!)
Fixing Your Communicator: $3 (You need to talk to HQ!)

Spend on your needs first!

Amount spent:

Money left:

Challenge 2: Superhero Wants!

Now that your needs are met, you have some money left. You can choose to spend on some fun "wants" or save for something bigger!

Shiny New Cape: $4 (Makes you fly faster!)
Super Strong Bubble Gum: $1 (For blowing giant bubbles!)
Extra Training Comics: $3 (To learn new moves!)

Look at your remaining money. What wants will you buy? You don't have to buy them all! You can save some money too!

List the wants you chose and how much they cost:

Amount spent on wants:

Challenge 3: Super Savings!

How much money do you have left after buying your needs and wants?

This is your SAVINGS! What could your superhero save up for next week?

Money saved:

My superhero will save for:

Reflect and Share:

Was it hard to decide what to buy? Why or why not?
What did you choose to save for?
How does being a "Money Smart" superhero help Budget City?

Activity

My Superhero Budget Badge

Congratulations, Money Smart Hero! You've successfully navigated Budget City!

Now, it's time to earn your official Superhero Budget Badge!

Part 1: Design Your Badge!

Draw your very own superhero budget badge in the space below. What symbols or colors would show you're a master of money? Include something that represents income, needs, wants, and saving!

Part 2: Tell Your Story!

Answer the questions below about your superhero budgeting journey.

What is one thing your superhero earns (income)?
What is one need your superhero must spend money on?
What is one want your superhero chose to buy (or decided NOT to buy to save)?
What is your superhero saving money for?
How do you feel now that you know more about being a Money Smart Hero?

Test

Money Smart Hero Assessment

The 'Money Smart' Superhero

Lisa Traxler [Lowman ES]