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What's Your Money Story?

Lesson Plan

Mapping Your Money Journey

Students will identify daily situations where money is used and create a visual timeline of their personal money journeys, fostering empathy and self-awareness about financial choices.

Understanding personal money narratives helps students recognize diverse spending habits, build empathy for others, and take ownership of their own financial decisions.

Audience

4th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Discuss scenarios, then draw and share individual money timelines.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

  • Review Your Money Story Slides to familiarize yourself with discussion prompts.
  • Print one copy of the Draw Your Wallet Timeline worksheet per student.
  • Gather colored pencils or crayons for student use.
  • Set up the whiteboard and markers for recording student responses.

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Display the title slide from Your Money Story Slides.
  • Ask students: “What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘money’?”
  • Record responses on the whiteboard to spark engagement.

Step 2

Explore Money Narratives

10 minutes

  • Use slides depicting everyday spending scenarios (e.g., snack purchase, bus fare, school lunch) from Your Money Story Slides.
  • After each slide, invite volunteers to share similar experiences.
  • Highlight that everyone has a unique money story based on daily choices and needs.

Step 3

Timeline Activity

10 minutes

  • Hand out the Draw Your Wallet Timeline worksheet.
  • Instruct students to draw five moments in their day when they see or use money (e.g., buying breakfast, allowance).
  • Encourage adding brief captions to explain each drawing.

Step 4

Share & Reflect

3 minutes

  • Invite 2–3 students to share a favorite point from their timeline with the class.
  • Ask: “How are our money stories similar or different?” to foster empathy.

Step 5

Conclusion

2 minutes

  • Summarize that money shapes daily experiences and each person’s story is unique.
  • Encourage students to notice their money moments at home and discuss them with family.
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Slide Deck

What’s Your Money Story?

Exploring daily money moments and choices.

Welcome students! Today we’re diving into personal money stories. Explain that everyone uses money in different ways, and we’ll explore our own daily money moments.

What Is Money?

• Think: What words or images pop into your head when you hear “money”?
• Share one idea with the class.

Prompt the class: “What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘money’?” Record answers on the board. Highlight keywords like ‘buy,’ ‘save,’ ‘spend,’ ‘allowance.’

Morning Money Moment

• Buying breakfast: $1–$5
• Paying with coins or bills
• How do you decide what to buy?

Show an image of a child buying breakfast at a café (slide background or clip art). Ask: “Have you ever used money for breakfast?”

Getting Around

• Paying bus or subway fare
• Saving up for a monthly pass
• Why do we need to pay to travel?

Display a bus icon or photo. Ask about riding the bus or subway and paying fare.

Lunchtime Choices

• School lunch cost vs. packed lunch
• Choosing healthy and affordable options
• Who decides what to buy?

Use a cafeteria photo. Discuss choices between school lunch and packed lunch.

After-School Spending

• Buying a snack or small toy
• Spending now vs. saving for later
• How do you feel after spending?

Show a local store image. Talk about using allowance or pocket money for treats.

Your Wallet Timeline

Use the worksheet to draw five money moments from your day:

  1. Morning purchase
  2. Travel fare
  3. Lunch
  4. After-school treat
  5. Anything else!

Introduce the activity. Hand out the Draw Your Wallet Timeline worksheet. Explain students will draw five moments in their day when they see or use money.

Share & Reflect

• What did you draw?
• How do our money stories compare?
• What did you learn about others?

Invite 2–3 volunteers to share their favorite drawing. Guide discussion: How are stories alike or different? What surprised you?

Wrap-Up

• Money shapes our day-to-day choices
• Everyone has a unique money story
• Share your story with family tonight!

Summarize key takeaways: money is part of daily life, stories vary, and reflecting helps us make good choices. Encourage talking about these stories at home.

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Activity

Draw Your Wallet Timeline

Objective:
Students will visually map five moments when they see or use money during their day.

Instructions:

  • In each numbered section below, draw a moment when you used or saw money.
  • Under each drawing, write a short caption explaining what’s happening.

  1. Morning Moment











    Caption: ________________________________

  2. Getting Around











    Caption: ________________________________

  3. Lunchtime Moment











    Caption: ________________________________

  4. After-School Treat











    Caption: ________________________________

  5. Your Own Money Moment











    Caption: ________________________________

Reflection Questions

• Which drawing shows your favorite money moment, and why?






• How do these moments help you understand your own spending or saving choices?






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