FACS Lesson Plan
Unit: 7
Topic: Reconciling a checking account
Framework: 7.9
ELA Framework: W.4.10.5, 4.11.5, 4.12.5
(Author Jennie Palmer)
 What concept within the framework is to be developed? What is the specific
objective of the lesson?
How to properly reconcile a checking account
 What do students probably already know about the content? What prior knowledge
needs to be activated?
They know what checks and deposits are and how to write them. They should have
learned how to record transactions in a register. They need to know how to add and
subtract
 What don’t they know?
All of the terms related to reconciling a checking account- check, reconcile, cancelled
check, check register, deposit, bank statement balance, outstanding deposits, and
outstanding checks/withdraws
 Is there potential for misconception?
They can confuse reconciling a checkbook with just subtracting and keeping their
checkbook current. They can confuse some of the terms
 What should the students be able to do at the end of the lesson?
Reconcile their checking account with the bank statement
 What resources are available to develop the concept?
Copies of a bank statement, check register and a reconciling sheet borrowed from the
University of Arizona Family Economics & Financial Education curriculum
 What questions will focus students’ thinking on the concept and help guide learning?
What do the terms mean? What do I think they mean? Did I get them right? When and
where will I use these abbreviations and equivalents?
 How will I assess students’ understanding of the essential concepts and major details?
Before and after, I will use the “How well do I know these words” strategy to help them
understand the vocabulary. If they understand the vocabulary and the steps, I think
they will be able to reconcile and account. They will also have to reconcile an account
by themselves to make sure they know how to. At the end of the lesson, they will have
to reconcile an account by themselves. There are also 3 multiple choice items provided.
Part of
Lesson
Strategy
What Students Will Do
How well do I
know these
words
 Use the worksheet to rate how
well they know the vocabulary
words.
 Read the words to them so
they are pronounced right.
 Walk around and see how
they are rating them.
Cornell
Notes
 Take notes on the vocabulary
words.
 Take notes on the steps to
reconcile a checking account
 Go over the vocabulary words
with the kids
 Show them the steps to
reconciling an account
How well do I
know these
words
 Use the worksheet to rate the
words now that we have gone
over them.
 Have them reconcile an account
on their own.
 Make sure they understand all
of the words and go back over
the ones that they don’t.
 Make sure they understand
the steps and are doing them
correctly.
Before
During
After
What Teachers Will Do
How Well Do I Know These Words?
Passage/Text: Reconciling A Checking Account
Part I Directions: Read the words in the middle section of the page silently. After you read
each one, write the words from the bottom of the page in the column that best describes what
you know about the word. Discuss the words with your partner and move them to another
column if possible.
Don’t know at all
Have seen or
heard- don’t now
meaning
I think I know the
meaning
I know a meaning
WORDS: check, reconcile, cancelled check, check register, deposit,
bank statement balance, outstanding deposits, and outstanding
checks/withdraws
Part II Directions: As you read/listen and encounter the words, your understanding of the
words should change. Write the words in the column that best describes what you know
about the word after the lesson (s).
I still need help understanding this
word
I think I know the meaning
I know a meaning
Vocabulary words
Check- Used at the time of purchase as the form of payment. Piece of paper pre-printed
with the account holder’s information on it.
Reconcile- Balance the checkbook register each month to the balance shown on the
bank statement
cancelled check- Checks that have cleared the bank.
check register- Place to record all monetary transactions (Deposits, checks, ATM use,
debit card purchases, additional bank fees) for a checking account
deposit- putting money into your account
bank statement balance- the amount in your checking account according to your bank
statement.
outstanding deposits- deposits that have not cleared the bank yet. The deposits that
are not on your bank statement.
outstanding checks- checks that have not cleared the bank yet, they are not on your
bank statement.
outstanding withdraws- withdraws that have not cleared the bank yet, they are not on
your bank statement.
Steps to reconciling your bank account
 View the monthly bank statement and check register
 Place a check mark in the √ T column for all transactions that have been cleared and are
shown on the bank statement
 Determine the current account balance from the bank statement
 Add any outstanding deposits – transactions that have not cleared the bank
 Subtract any outstanding withdrawals and calculate
 Compare the total with the checkbook register. If the totals are different, double check
the math and make sure all service fees and bank charges are recorded in the check
register.
You can use a worksheet similar to this one for the steps:
I am also attaching two different set of statements and registers borrowed from the
University of Arizona FEFE curriculum. One is for practice and the other is for
independent assessment. The one for practice I would give them as you are going over
the steps and they can fill it out as you go.
Possible multiple choice items:
_____ 1. What does it mean when you balance the checkbook register each month to the
balance shown on the bank statement
a. Deposit
b. Register
c. Reconcile
d. Check
_____ 2. The total I get after I have reconciled my account should match the total that
is
a. in my check register
b. on the bank statement
c. the total of the outstanding deposits
d. the total of the outstanding checks
_____ 3. An outstanding check is one that
a. has not been written
b. has not cleared the bank
c. has not been signed
d. has not been dated