ACTIVITY
TITLE:
NetWorth Parent
Involvement
st
Money! Does It Grow on Trees? Personal Finance for the 21
Century
Grade 1
Time Required: 1 hour 10 minutes
Content Standard 1 (7.1.1) Students will acquire the attitudes,
knowledge and skills that contribute to effective learning in
school and across the life span.
Indicators:
d. Students will accept mistakes as essential to the learning
process.
j. Students will take responsibility for their actions.
n. Students will share knowledge.
GOAL:
Through
a shared
learning
experience
with
GOAL: Through
a shared
learning
experience
with their parent,
thetheir
student
parent,
the
student
will
understand
how
money
is
earned
and
will understand how money is earned and the need to spend wisely.
the need to spend wisely.
Warm Up Activity Statement: Parents and children will participate in a discussion and
game regarding the wise use of money.
Main Activity Statement: Parents and children will view a Powerpoint presentation and
participate in a discussion following the viewing.
Wrap Up Activity Statement: Parents and children will complete a chores chart
handout.
Materials:
 LCD Projector and Computer
 Instructor Resource
 Handout #1 Game: Needs and Wants
 Handout #2 Chores Chart
 Parent Handout #1 Take Home Activity: Word Scramble
 Parent Handout# 2 Evaluation of the Grade 1 Lesson
Anticipatory Set Up/ Warm Up Activity:
Instructor Introduction:
Children at the first grade age are at the perfect age to begin talking about making wise
decisions about the use of money. Since they were introduced to basic money concepts
in kindergarten, they now need to think about ideas for making their own money. Earning
their own money will help them to appreciate its value more and make wise decisions
when making purchases of toys, games, candy, books, some special clothing and other
novelties.
Discussion:
Instructor will direct students to raise their hands and wait to be called upon.
 What is an allowance? An amount of money given to a child for chores
performed.)
 Does anyone get an allowance?
 What kind of a chore do you do to get an allowance.
 How do most people get money? (jobs)
 Other than an allowance, how else can you get money? (gifts)
Game:
Instructor says: We are going to play a game that is called “Needs and Wants”
Sometimes we think we need a toy or book, but we really do not. There are some
things that we do need. This game will give us a chance to decide if some things are
needs or wants.
 Divide class up into groups of four.
 Pass out Handout #1 Game to each student
 Pass out cards labeled NEEDS and WANTS to parents. (Put them in an
envelope)
 When the teacher says “GO”. You will place the word NEED over pictures of
NEEDS and WANT over the pictures of WANTS.
 Give the students an example.
 The first student to get all of the cards placed correctly will be the winner.
 That student should stand as soon as they are done.
 The instructor will check the card.
(There may be a small prize for the winner.) optional
Timeline : 15 minutes
MAIN ACTIVITY:
Instructor: Do any of you have a money tree? Wouldn’t we like to have one?
Let’s watch this presentation and see if we can answer these questions and others about
money. Show Powerpoint presentation: “Does Money Really Grow On Trees?”
Discussion Questions:

What are the three things we should consider or think about when we are given



or earn money? (save, spend, share)
Where is the best place to save money? Why? (bank)
Why should we practice making wise choices with our money?
Can your parents help you to make wise choices?
Timeline: 25 minutes
Wrap Up Activity: Summarize what the parents and children have learned about
money. Questions to ask about presentation. We have determined that money does not
grow on trees. Right! Most people have to work to earn money. Now we are going to
decide how you can help your family and perhaps ear some money.
 Introduce the Chores Chart Handout.
Instructor should pass out and explain Handout#2 “Chores Chart”. With the help of their
parents, the children should complete the chart. The parents can help children decide
what chores they can do to help their family and perhaps get an allowance.
This chart is adapted from www.practical money skills.com
Timeline: 30 minutes
Take-Home Activity: Worksheet: Word Scramble
Resource List: Handout adapted from www.practicalmoneyskills.com
Evaluation Component: Parent Handout #2 Evaluation sheet
Marketing: Flyer
Incentive: Children may receive extra points for having parents attend
with them. This would be a collaborative decision between the teacher
and the instructor.
Author: Joyce Rea
Brooke County Schools
jrea@access.k12.wv.us