This week, I continued working on the Google Slides presentation focused on introducing middle schoolers to the basics of budgeting. The slides cover essential topics like understanding income and expenses, distinguishing between needs and wants, and the purpose of setting a budget. To help make the lesson more personal and engaging, I included a warm-up question: “What does budgeting mean to you?” This question encourages students to reflect on their own experiences and opens up a conversation that helps me better understand their perspectives and financial awareness.

To make the lesson more interactive, I designed a game where students get to dress up a character while staying within a budget. This fun activity challenges them to think critically about spending choices and practice prioritizing needs over wants. I also added a section on setting a SMART goal, guiding students to set realistic and achievable financial objectives. To extend the learning beyond the classroom, the lesson concludes with a take-home activity that encourages students to talk to their parents about budgeting, helping to reinforce these important concepts through real-life connections.