Fun and Engaging Ways for Teaching Students Financial Literacy

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I know this seems obvious, but why should we teach students about jobs and income? This is such a valuable lesson on something young students will hear about and experience the rest of their lives. There is no time like the present to spend time teaching students financial literacy. Not only do jobs provide income to help us buy the things we need, they also help us purchase the things that we want.

Grab a copy of the activities in this post from my Economics Goods and Services Activities and Worksheets pack.

Watch and Listen to Videos: Teaching Students Financial Literacy for Second Graders

One way for students to learn more about professions and incomes is by having students learn about jobs by watching fun videos. I always encourage my students to take notes as they watch the videos. Taking notes while watching a video is a great way to introduce note-taking strategies. These are some of my top picks for videos to show students in the classroom: How to Make Money Tips and Future Careers.

Read Books About Different Jobs

financial literacy for second graders nonfiction reader

I always advocate and look for any way to teach life skills within my classroom. Financial literacy for second graders is a major skill that students will need to understand when they are older.

One way to teach these skills, even with the youngest learner, is by incorporating picture books. Reading books about different job opportunities gets students’ wheels turning about possible career opportunities as well as knowledge about the different jobs that exist. Some of my favorite mentor texts include Career Day by Anne Rockwell, The Berenstain Bears Jobs Around Town, and Money Sense for Kids by Hollis Page Harman.

Teaching Students Financial Literacy: Jobs Require Different Skills

Students should also be aware that different jobs require different skills and that some jobs require that you go to school longer. A lot of jobs that require more schooling pay more. For example, doctors or lawyers are required to attend more schooling than other professions.

Start a Research Project Highlighting Different Jobs

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Start by having students pick one job that they would like to learn more about. Students can fill out the foldable or worksheet with information about their job. Next, students will use the internet to research the salary, skills, and also education needed for each job. Hands-on projects are a great way for students to become engaged in the learning process and make authentic discoveries.

Make a Brochure About a Job

Once students are done collecting facts and researching jobs that they like, have them complete a brochure that can teach others about the job. I have often found that students learn the best from their peers. This is also a great way for students to develop public speaking skills by presenting to their peers.

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Activities for Teaching Students Financial Literacy

The activities in this post are from my Economics Goods and Services Activities and Worksheets pack.

Click HERE for the printable unit and HERE for the digital version. OR save money by purchasing the paper and digital bundle HERE.

Also, be sure to save this post by pinning this to your Pinterest account. That way, you can easily come back to these ideas when you are ready to teach your class about jobs and income money.