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Teaching by Topic: Money Math

Here are a bunch of tips, learning objectives, worksheets, and pre-built lesson plans to help you build your curriculum to teach students money math!

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Money math is crucial from pre-K through high school and beyond. Your students will benefit immensely by having a firm grasp of math skills and strategies to solve economic problems.

You can find the materials you need to teach money math, regardless of your students’ levels. Here are money math lessons, worksheets, activities and games, and some essential tips –  by grade. We also include money math learning objectives for each grade, which are pulled straight from the National Standards for Personal Finance Education.

National Standards for Personal Finance Education

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Our free cheat sheet covers every learning objective in the National Standards for Personal Finance Education and the corresponding Kids' Money Lesson Plans - we cover each and every standard!

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Pre-K

Learning Objectives

Students learn the different coins and begin their money math journey. They should be able to:

  • Share examples of how price influences a purchase decision.

Pre-K Money Math Lesson Plans

  • KMLP Pre-K – Counting Money: In this lesson, students read stories that show the value of money. They compare money values, go “shopping” for items, and use games to work on counting skills.

Pre-K Money Math Worksheets

Pre-K Money Math Games and Activities

Tips for Teaching Money Math to Pre-K Students

  • Mimic real-life scenarios with money.
  • Role-play often, such as store-customer interactions.
  • Use real money to count as soon as possible.

For more resources on other topics, check out our Pre-K Money Lesson Plans Center.

Kindergarten

Learning Objectives

Kindergarten students work with pennies, nickels, and dimes to build their money math base. They should be able to:

  • Analyze how people differ in their values and attitudes about spending money.

Kindergarten Money Math Lesson Plans

  • KMLP Kindergarten – Money Denominations: Students read a book about money, looking at our different bills and coins. They learn how to make change, see that various coins can total the same amounts, and take an assessment on counting coins.

Kindergarten Money Math Worksheets

Kindergarten Money Math Games and Activities

Tips for Teaching Money Math to Kindergarten Students

  • Focus on social skills and routines before any money math.
  • Stick to pennies and nickels, introducing dimes near the end of the year.
  • Use a mix of online activities and in-person manipulatives.

For more resources on other topics, check out our Kindergarten Money Lesson Plans Center.

1st Grade

Learning Objectives

1st-graders see how important it is to save money, and use their developing skills to track cash. They should be able to:

  • Develop a system to keep track of personal items and handle small amounts of money.

1st Grade Money Math Lesson Plans

  • KMLP 1st Grade – Money Value: This lesson is all about the value of money: the various denominations, coins, equivalent amounts, and how we use it in society. Students see how money makes exchanging goods easier and how important it is to save and have enough of it.

1st Grade Money Math Worksheets

1st Grade Money Math Games and Activities

Tips for Teaching Money Math to 1st Graders

  • Learn counting with everyday objects, not just money.
  • Develop estimation skills to help their money math.
  • Reward effort for math with tangible incentives.

For more resources on other topics, check out our 1st Grade Money Lesson Plans Center.

2nd Grade

Learning Objectives

2nd-graders see the different ways people get paid and earn income. They should be able to:

  • Describe the difference between wages, salaries, commissions, and tips.

2nd Grade Money Math Lesson Plans

  • KMLP 2nd Grade – Currency: By studying currencies, students understand different values, how people earn income in the form of currency, and how the flow of money works. They read a book and complete activities to strengthen their money math skills.

2nd Grade Money Math Worksheets

2nd Grade Money Math Games and Activities

Tips for Teaching Money Math to 2nd Graders

  • Use number lines to help students visualize.
  • Use flashcards and post visuals around the room.
  • Keep money math fun and competitive.

For more resources on other topics, check out our 2nd Grade Money Lesson Plans Center.

3rd Grade

Learning Objectives

3rd-grade students learn about interest and its benefits in savings accounts. They should be able to:

  • Explain why financial institutions, such as banks and credit unions, pay interest to depositors.

3rd Grade Money Math Lesson Plans

  • KMLP 3rd Grade – Interest: Students see how interest works and how it can help grow their money over time. They learn how to calculate interest and identify which types of accounts accrue interest, using multiplication in their money math.

3rd Grade Money Math Worksheets

3rd Grade Money Math Games and Activities

Tips for Teaching Money Math to 3rd Graders

  • Use hands-on activities to teach multiplication (e.g., dominoes).
  • Use puzzles, spinner games, and dice to switch up instruction.
  • Have students work in groups more often.

For more resources on other topics, check out our 3rd Grade Money Lesson Plans Center.

4th Grade

Learning Objectives

4th-graders use more advanced money math skills like multiplication and division, and see how individual financial situations vary. They should be able to:

  • Students see people differ in their values and attitudes about saving.

4th Grade Money Math Lesson Plans

  • KMLP 4th Grade – Saving: In this lesson, students see the importance of money math in budgeting and running a business. They read a story, complete a research activity, and complete worksheets to work on money math.

4th Grade Money Math Worksheets

4th Grade Money Math Games and Activities

Tips for Teaching Money Math to 4th Graders

  • Create plans and goals with students: short, mid, and long-term.
  • Make sure your classroom is positive and supportive for all students to be comfortable in their money math learning.
  • Use art and student-created materials in money math.

For more resources on other topics, check out our 4th Grade Money Lesson Plans Center.

5th Grade

Learning Objectives

5th-graders use their money math to see how investing can lead to greater returns. They should be able to:

  • List the potential benefits of investing money in a financial asset.
  • Compare rates of return on different types of investments and order them by risk.

5th Grade Money Math Lesson Plans

  • KMLP 5th Grade – Investing: Your 5th-graders learn the difference between saving and investing, focusing on the various rates of return of different accounts. They watch videos, complete activities, read excerpts from books, and participate in simulations using money math to see how their money can grow.

5th Grade Money Math Worksheets

5th Grade Money Math Games and Activities

Tips for Teaching Money Math to 5th Graders

  • Keep arithmetic skills fresh.
  • Continue pressing estimation practice.
  • Keep money math relevant to kids’ lives, like planning to pay for a party, video games, etc.

For more resources on other topics, check out our 5th Grade Money Lesson Plans Center.

6th Grade

Learning Objectives

6th-graders transfer their money math skills to the concept of credit. They should be able to:

  • Describe how a credit card user can minimize interest charges on their credit card purchases.

6th Grade Money Math Lesson Plans

  • KMLP 6th Grade – Finance: In this lesson, students watch a video explaining how credit cards work and how they can charge higher interest rates on purchases. They look at both sides of interest; how it can help them make money but also drag their finances down.

6th Grade Money Math Worksheets

6th Grade Money Math Games and Activities

Tips for Teaching Money Math to 6th Graders

  • Use different cooperative learning configurations to encourage interaction.
  • Use real money as often as possible.
  • Continue to review multiplication and division as you add more advanced concepts.

For more resources on other topics, check out our 6th Grade Money Lesson Plans Center.

7th Grade

Learning Objectives

Students in this grade use money math to develop budgets. They should be able to:

  • Create a budget that includes expenses and savings out of a given amount of income.

7th Grade Money Math Lesson Plans

  • KMLP 7th Grade – Personal Finance: Students look at budgeting in this lesson, requiring them to use money math to calculate living expenses and bills and to see if they can make it with a given income. They learn about goal setting and take a self-assessment to analyze their goal-setting process.

7th Grade Money Math Worksheets

7th Grade Money Math Games and Activities

Tips for Teaching Money Math to 7th Graders

  • Creating procedures and routines will make or break your 7th-grade classroom.
  • Keep students engaged with online and digital tools.
  • Have students research often to find personal finance solutions.

For more resources on other topics, check out our 7th Grade Money Lesson Plans Center.

8th Grade

Learning Objectives

8th-graders see the importance of saving money and being proficient at money math. They should be able to:

  • Explain why people with identical incomes make different choices for spending, saving, and managing money.

8th Grade Money Math Lesson Plans

  • KMLP 8th Grade – Spending: Students will see the importance of budgets and how imperative it is to have sufficient money math abilities as they calculate and balance what they will need. They develop budgets independently, read articles, and play games to get a better grasp on smart spending.

8th Grade Money Math Worksheets

8th Grade Money Math Games and Activities

Tips for Teaching Money Math to 8th Graders

  • Show kids real-world examples of when adults use money math.
  • Connect other math skills back to money, showing them how vital those strategies are.
  • Have students explain their thinking and solutions to you as they work on money math.

For more resources on other topics, check out our 8th Grade Money Lesson Plans Center.

9th Grade

Learning Objectives

9th-graders level up their money math to apply it to investing. They should be able to:

  • See that expenses of buying, selling, and holding financial assets decrease the rate of return from an investment.

9th Grade Money Math Lesson Plans

  • KMLP 9th Grade – Investment: Your students gain exposure to many investment account types with different expense ratios and fees. They see the importance of money math to help maximize their returns and lower taxes.

9th Grade Money Math Worksheets

9th Grade Money Math Games and Activities

Tips for Teaching Money Math to 9th Graders

  • Spend a lot of time drilling arithmetic.
  • Use groups often.
  • Challenge students to think of multiple ways to come to the same solution.

For more resources on other topics, check out our 9th Grade Money Lesson Plans Center.

10th Grade

Learning Objectives

10th-graders explore the tools and calculators available to them online. They should be able to:

  • Evaluate the impact of technological advances on employment and income.

10th Grade Money Math Lesson Plans

  • KMLP 10th Grade – Personal Finance: Your 10th-graders will look at several aspects of successful personal finance, including how to research college and career choices and their associated costs. They determine the risks and expenses of entrepreneurship through videos and research.

10th Grade Money Math Worksheets

10th Grade Money Math Games and Activities

Tips for Teaching Money Math to 10th Graders

  • Use what is available online.
  • Have math-centered magazines and publications in the classroom that show how math can be cool and fun.
  • Use stock market simulators and resources to get kids involved in their financial future.

For more resources on other topics, check out our 10th Grade Money Lesson Plans Center.

11th Grade

Learning Objectives

11th-graders do the money math of loans and borrowing. They should be able to:

  • Describe how failing to repay a loan can negatively impact a person’s finances and life.

11th Grade Money Math Lesson Plans

  • KMLP 11th Grade – Loans and Credit: This lesson has students watch a thorough and engaging video, contribute to a Jamboard to show understanding, and see a PowerPoint and article. They use their math skills to see how interest rates affect auto loans and the total they would pay back over the life of the loan.

11th Grade Money Math Worksheets

11th Grade Money Math Games and Activities

Tips for Teaching Money Math to 11th Graders

  • Have students teach other concepts: this can be the best way both parties learn.
  • Discuss math-related career options with students.
  • Highlight money math in sports, such as contracts.

For more resources on other topics, check out our 11th Grade Money Lesson Plans Center.

12th Grade

Learning Objectives

12th-graders see the impact of training and education on careers, using money math to determine their best paths. They should be able to:

  • Evaluate the costs and benefits of investing in additional education or training.

12th Grade Money Math Lesson Plans

  • KMLP 12th Grade – Earning Income: Students learn about many career paths, researching potential income and benefit offerings in various industries. They calculate how education and training can add value to their future financial picture.

12th Grade Money Math Worksheets

12th Grade Money Math Games and Activities

Tips for Teaching Money Math to 12th Graders

  • Hold conferences consistently with each student to shore up their arithmetic and money math.
  • Dedicate class time for career and college research with a focus on money and math skills.
  • Have your 12th-graders mentor younger students in financial education.

For more resources on other topics, check out our 12th Grade Money Lesson Plans Center.

More Resources

About the Author

Peter Brown

Peter Brown is a National Board Certified teacher with over two decades of experience in the classroom. He loves working with students of all ages in many subjects, but particularly in practical areas like money education, to help kids achieve their goals. When he is not teaching or writing about financial literacy, you can find him surfing, hiking, skiing, or traveling to new places.

Last updated on: July 8, 2024