The+Berenstain+Bears’+Dollars+and+Sense+Reinforcing+Activity

The students will be able to understand how to accurately fill out a blank check and record their checking activity in their ledgers.

The students will be given a worksheet with a base amount of income as well as a list of different expenditures. The students will be required to pay their bills first, place a percentage of their income into savings, and then use their remaining income as they deem fit within the given list. They may choose to invest additional income into savings or make frivolous purchases. However, they will be required to write three more checks after the mandatory list is done.

Steps:
 * 1) After introducing and explaining the basic concepts of a checking and savings accounts, pass out a copy of the Check Ledger and the Costs worksheet to each student.
 * 2) Explain what information goes onto each check and demonstrate how to fill one out correctly on the smartboard or overhead projector.
 * 3) Explain to the class that each student will be given a beginning income balance, and that they will be required to first and foremost pay their bills or expenses as listed on the costs worksheet that is distributed at the beginning of the lesson. Have the students write checks for two bills (rent and electric).
 * 4) Discuss with the students that they will need to be responsible for their own ledgers and what the purpose of a ledger. Demonstrate how to fill in the ledger on the smartboard or overhead projector, and have the students fill in the two checks just written.
 * 5) Discuss the importance of savings and what kinds of benefits it has. Saving for emergencies, saving for large purchases, etc. Show students how to calculate 10% of income and then have the students calculate 10% of their income themselves, and write a check for their savings account. Have them write this amount into their ledger books. All of the students should have the same amount balanced in their ledger, and this should be verified before continuing.
 * 6) Next have the students choose from the list of costs. They should choose three things that they wish to spend their remaining money on and have them write checks for those as well. Have the students write the items in their ledger books, balancing it as they go.
 * 7) After making sure the students have balanced their ledger sheets, ask questions such as:
 * 8) What do they still have money for?
 * 9) How much more would they have to save in order to make a larger purchase?