[Canadian] Financial Literacy Lesson Plans

Financial literacy is an important topic for any age, and Spaces offers many opportunities to help develop and document concepts related to financial literacy. The following lesson plans have been designed to assist educators to teach students about money and financial decision-making. 

Kindergarten: Identifying Coins

This lesson introduces students to the different Canadian coins, asking them to reflect on where they see coins in their lives and practice identifying coins through patterning. 

Grade 1: Grocery Shopping Role Play

In this lesson, students will explore financial literacy concepts such as creating a budget and responsible purchasing through the creation of a healthy grocery shopping list.

Grade 2: Needs Versus Wants

In this lesson, students will learn about financial literacy and spending wisely by classifying everyday items as either ‘needs’ or ‘wants.’

Grade 3: Planning a Purchase 

This lesson plan helps students develop problem-solving skills and their understanding of money by analyzing what it might cost to purchase and care for a pet. 

Grade 4: Distribution of Wealth in Medieval Europe

This lesson introduces students to the distribution of wealth and privilege in society through the example of medieval Western Europe. Students explore financial literacy concepts through historical role-playing.

Grade 5: Consumer Awareness and Healthy Choices

This lesson introduces students to financial literacy concepts such as creating a budget and responsible purchasing through the creation of a healthy grocery shopping list.

Grade 6: Saving Energy 

By exploring the cost of lighting their classroom in this lesson, students will build an understanding of the hidden costs of everyday energy use, and students will gain a deeper understanding of managing finances in the real world.