Lesson
Be Your Own Boss
Summary
Owning a business isn't just about selling things — it's about solving problems for people who'll pay you to fix them. Explore what it means to be an entrepreneur, the difference between products and services, and why taxes take a bite out of every paycheck.
Warm-Up: Would You Rather?
- Run a series of quick "Would you rather" polls about business choices
- Students vote with a show of hands or by moving to a side of the room
Instruction
- Introduce the definition of an entrepreneur and the problem-solving mindset
- Cover who pays a business owner and introduce the basics of income tax
Share: Why Do We Pay Taxes?
- Pose the question: should you pay taxes for services you don't personally use?
- Guide students to brainstorm community services funded by taxes
Activity: Money Math
- Students complete the Money Math workbook pages practicing cash handling
- Circulate to help students who struggle with making change
Exit Ticket
- TRUE/FALSE: Taxes are only for people who live in cities
- TRUE/FALSE: An entrepreneur is someone who owns their own business
| Est. Time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 5 min | Warm-Up: Would You Rather? |
|
| 9 min | Instruction |
|
| 5 min | Share: Why Do We Pay Taxes? |
|
| 8 min | Activity: Money Math |
|
| 3 min | Exit Ticket |
|
Lesson Prep
Elementary Personal Finance Workbook
Offline activities covering financial vocabulary, budgeting, and saving.
Class Presentation
Includes a 21-slide deck with teacher notes. Present from Banzai, download a PDF, or copy it to Google Slides.
Presentations, Ready to Go
- Built-in PresentationPresent full screen, straight from Banzai
- Copy to Google SlidesMake an editable copy for your class
- Download or PrintSave as a PDF or print
- Teacher NotesSlide-by-slide guidance, printable as one handout
Unit 1: Earning, Spending, and Saving
How We Earn Money
A paycheck isn't the only way kids can picture earning money — skills, time, and effort all play a part. Explore the basics of jobs, the skills behind them, and the four ways people get paid, then kick off a summer-long savings adventure with Lemonade Tycoon.
Be Your Own Boss
Owning a business isn't just about selling things — it's about solving problems for people who'll pay you to fix them. Explore what it means to be an entrepreneur, the difference between products and services, and why taxes take a bite out of every paycheck.
Wants, Needs, and Spending Choices
Every dollar can only be spent once, and that simple fact shapes every money decision we make. Explore opportunity cost, the difference between wants and needs, and how personal values guide spending choices.
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