Financial Choices Warm-Up

Instructions: Read the following scenarios and answer the questions.

Scenario 1:

Your friend wants to go to the movies this weekend. You have $15 saved up. The movie ticket costs $10, and snacks might be another $8. You also wanted to save up for a new book that costs $20, and you currently have $15 towards it.

Question 1: What are your options?

Question 2: What would you choose to do and why?

Scenario 2:

You just received $20 for your birthday. You've been wanting a new video game that costs $60, but you also need new school supplies for an upcoming project which will cost $15.

Question 1: How would you decide what to do with your birthday money?

Question 2: What choice would you make and why?

My Money Goal Cool-Down

Instructions: Take a few moments to reflect on what we discussed about earning, saving, and spending. Then, answer the questions below.

1. What is one thing you learned or found interesting today about managing money?

2. Thinking about your own life, what is one short-term financial goal you might have (something you want to save for soon)?

3. What is one way you could work towards that goal (e.g., earning money, saving more)?

Teacher Script: Your Financial Future

Warm-Up: Financial Choices (5 minutes)

"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going to start thinking about something that touches all of our lives: money. I want you to take out the Financial Choices Warm-Up I've provided or look at the questions on the screen. Take about 3-4 minutes to read through the scenarios and answer the questions. There are no right or wrong answers, just think about what makes sense to you."

(Allow students time to complete the warm-up. Circulate to observe their thought processes.)

"Alright, let's discuss. For Scenario 1, did anyone choose to go to the movies? Why? What about saving for the book? What influenced your decision? (Facilitate a brief class discussion, encouraging different perspectives.) And for Scenario 2, how did you decide between the video game and school supplies? This warm-up shows us that making choices about money isn't always easy, and that's exactly what we're going to explore today."

Introduction to Financial Literacy (7 minutes)

"Let's transition to our main topic: financial literacy. You can follow along with our Your Financial Future Slide Deck. What do you think 'financial literacy' means? (Allow a few student responses.)"

(Advance to Slide 2: "What is Financial Literacy?")

"Exactly! Financial literacy is about having the knowledge and skills to make smart decisions about your money. It's understanding where money comes from, how to manage it, and how to make it work for you. Why do you think this is an important skill to learn, even at your age? (Encourage discussion about future independence, avoiding debt, achieving goals.)"

(Advance to Slide 3: "Earning Money: Where Does It Come From?")

"First, let's talk about earning money. How do people get money? (Wait for responses: jobs, allowance, gifts.) Yes, those are all great ways. We often think of jobs, but you can also earn money through an allowance or even by starting your own small business, like babysitting or selling crafts. What are some ways you could earn money now or in the future? (Encourage creative ideas and realistic possibilities.)"

(Advance to Slide 4: "Saving Money: Future You Will Thank You!")

"Now, once you earn money, what can you do with it? (Lead to 'saving' and 'spending'.) Let's talk about saving first. Why do people save money? (Prompt for goals, emergencies, big purchases.) Saving is super important because it helps you achieve your goals, big or small. Maybe you're saving for a new video game, a concert ticket, or even something bigger like college or a car down the road. What's something you're saving for, or would like to save for? (Allow students to share, emphasizing that it's okay if they're not currently saving.)"

(Advance to Slide 5: "Spending Money: Making Smart Choices")

"The other thing we do with money is spend it. But spending isn't always simple. We have 'needs' and 'wants.' What's the difference? (Explain needs vs. wants with examples.) Food, shelter, clothes are needs. A new phone, concert tickets, or extra snacks are wants. It's important to think before you spend. Is it a need or a want? Is it truly worth it? How can thinking about 'needs versus wants' help you make better spending decisions?"

Interactive Discussion: Real-Life Money (8 minutes)

(Advance to Slide 6: "Putting It All Together")

"So, we've talked about earning, saving, and spending. These three things are like a balancing act. Financial literacy is about understanding how they all work together. You earn money, you choose to save some for the future, and you spend some on your needs and wants. Making smart choices in each area helps you build a strong financial future."

"Let's open it up for a quick discussion. Think about a time you had to make a decision about earning, saving, or spending. What did you do? What did you learn? (Encourage students to share personal anecdotes, creating a safe space for discussion. Guide the conversation to highlight different strategies and outcomes.)"

Cool-Down: My Money Goal (5 minutes)

(Advance to Slide 7: "Your Financial Journey Starts Now!")

"To wrap up our lesson today, I want you to complete the My Money Goal Cool-Down. This is a quick exit ticket to help you reflect on what we've discussed. Think about what you learned and what financial goals you might have."

(Distribute the cool-down or display it for students to complete. Give them about 3-4 minutes.)

Wrap-Up and Next Steps (5 minutes)

"As you finish up your cool-downs, remember that understanding how to earn, save, and spend money wisely is a skill that will benefit you throughout your entire life. It helps you achieve your dreams, big or small, and gives you more control over your future."

"Hold onto your cool-downs for now, and we'll review them next time, or you can turn them in as you leave."

"Thank you for participating today. Keep thinking about your financial choices, and I look forward to continuing our discussion on financial literacy in our next session!"