Banking Activities High School: Savings and Checking Decisions

This free banking activities lesson teaches Grade 10 students how everyday money decisions work in real life. Students track spending, complete banking forms, calculate balances, and evaluate savings and checking account choices using realistic situations.

Overview

Students learn practical banking skills by simulating real financial choices. They experience what happens when money is spent, saved, or stored unsafely, then apply mathematics to deposits, withdrawals, and account balances. By the end of the sequence, students use calculations and comparisons to decide which financial institution best meets their needs.

Subject Connections

Mathematics is central as students calculate balances, track transactions, and compare fees and interest. Social studies supports the lesson through understanding financial institutions and consumer decisions. English Language Arts is used when students read forms and explain their choices in writing, while technology may assist with organizing records or simple spreadsheets.

Learning Goals

• Record and track financial transactions accurately
• Balance a checking register using addition and subtraction
• Explain differences between savings and checking accounts
• Compare banking services and fees
• Use evidence to choose a financial institution

Materials

• Play money or printed transaction slips
• Spending log sheets
• Sample deposit and withdrawal forms
• Sample checks and check registers
• Calculators
• Bank comparison chart template
• Graph paper

Preparation

• Prepare fictional financial scenario sheets
• Copy transaction logs and banking forms
• Assign small working groups
• Set up example bank service descriptions and fee structures

Teaching Procedure

Each session fits a standard class period of 45–50 minutes.

Session 1 – Spending Choices Simulation

1. Activity: One-week spending challenge. The teacher gives each student a fixed amount of play money and a spending log. Using catalog sheets and purchase options, students decide how to spend their money, record every transaction, and submit a completed log showing totals and remaining balance.
2. The teacher leads a discussion about lost money, theft risk, and tracking errors. Students write a short explanation describing problems they encountered managing cash.
3. The class compares results on the board while students calculate final totals and check for arithmetic mistakes.

Session 2 – Introduction to Banks

1. The teacher introduces basic banking vocabulary and models how to complete a deposit slip. Students fill out a practice form using their remaining funds.
2. Students create a vocabulary page in notebooks and write definitions in their own words.
3. Students calculate how a deposit changes an account balance and submit a correctly completed form.

Session 3 – Savings Accounts

1. Activity: Savings account transaction cycle. The teacher demonstrates deposits, withdrawals, and interest using sample statements and calculators. Students process three transactions and produce a written record showing beginning balance, changes, and ending balance.
2. The teacher explains interest and fees. Students calculate simple interest earned over a short period.
3. Students create a flow diagram showing how money moves into and out of a savings account.

Session 4 – Checking Accounts

1. The teacher models how to write a check and record it in a register. Students complete a practice check and record it correctly.
2. Activity: Balancing a register. Students receive a set of transactions and a monthly statement. Using calculators and registers, they reconcile the account and submit a balanced record.
3. Students identify and correct one intentional teacher error in a sample checkbook.

Session 5 – Comparing Banks

1. The teacher provides descriptions of several fictional banks and credit unions. Students list services, fees, and requirements on a comparison chart.
2. Students calculate monthly costs based on different usage patterns.
3. Students select the best institution and write a short justification supported by numerical evidence.

Session 6 – Financial Decision Presentation

1. Activity: Bank choice presentation. Students prepare a simple chart or graph showing how their money changes when using bank services. Using graph paper and their records, they present their decision and explain calculations to classmates.
2. The class asks questions while students respond using their financial data.
3. The teacher reviews key concepts and students submit all financial records.

Assessment

• Accuracy of transaction logs
• Completed deposit and withdrawal forms
• Balanced checking register
• Bank comparison chart
• Final explanation and presentation

Differentiation

• Provide step-by-step examples for students needing support
• Allow calculators or teacher-checked intermediate totals
• Offer extended transaction sets for advanced students
• Use peer partners for verification of calculations

Grade Adaptation

Grade 10 students calculate balances independently and justify financial decisions. For Grade 9 students, reduce the number of transactions and provide partially completed registers. For Grade 11 students, add percentage fee calculations and multi-month comparisons of interest growth.

Extension Ideas

• Create a personal monthly budget
• Analyze online banking safety practices
• Compare debit and credit card use