Checkbook
Goals:
1. Students develop the skills needed to balance a checkbook.
Materials:
1. Construction paper.
2. Loose leaf paper.
3. Stapler
4. Calculators (if available).
Time:
This lesson requires 30 minutes the first day and 15 minutes each day.
Procedure:
Step 1. Ask students to explain what a checkbook s and how to use one.
Step 2. Depending on what the students have said, explain how a checkbook is used. Withdrawals and deposits, and keeping them balanced. When checks are generally used.
Step 3. Have students make their own checkbooks.
A. Each students gets half a sheet of construction paper, which they fold in half.
B. Each students gets 3 or 4 pieces of loose leaf paper, which has been cut in half. Fold this also.
C. Line up the folds of all the paper, and staple together.
D. Fold the paper so it will open and close like a checkbook.
Step 4. Once the students finish the "checkbook", explain how they are going to be used.
A. Give each student a set amount of money to start off with.
B. Each morning they will receive slips with deposits and withdrawals listed.
C. Students must keep track of their balance over a one week period.
D. Inform the students that this is practice for the budgets they will have to keep during the shipping activity next week.
Step 5. Collect the checkbooks at the end of the week.
Assessment:
1. "Checkbooks" will be collected in the middle of week to see how well the students understand. (Criteria for success: Students have the exact balance or are with in X amount of the balance.)
2. "Checkbooks" will be collected again at the end of the week. (Criteria for success: Students must have exact balance or be with in X amount of the balance, which should be more accurate than the previous assessment.)
Curricular Strands and Major Concepts:
1. Math- Using math skills to keep track of account balance.
2. Social Studies- Learn how checks are used in society.
Possible Extensions:
1. Play "Monopoly" or another game that deals with handling assets and money.
2. Simulate having a family budget. (House, Car, Insurance, Education, etc.)