Unit Plan 30 (Grade 1 Social Studies): Jobs and Money

Focus: Help students understand that people work jobs to earn money, and that money is used to meet needs, buy wants, and sometimes help others. Students explore simple ideas of saving, spending, and trading through stories, picture cards, and a classroom “token shop” simulation.

Grade Level: 1

Subject Area: Social Studies (Economics • Community Connections)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 30–45 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, students connect what they already know about workers and community helpers to the idea of money. They learn that people work jobs to earn money, and that money is then used to buy needs (things we must have) and wants (things that are nice to have), and to help others. Through role-play, simple charts, and a classroom token system, students practice choosing whether to spend now, save for later, or trade for something different.

Essential Questions

• Why do people work jobs?
• How does money help families meet their needs and wants?
• What does it mean to save money instead of spending it right away?
• How do people make choices about spending and saving?
• What is a simple trade or exchange, and what might we give up to get something else?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Explain that people work jobs to earn money and to help others.
2. Name at least two ways families use money to meet needs (e.g., food, housing) and wants (e.g., toys, treats).
3. Describe what it means to save money and give a simple reason for saving (e.g., “for something bigger later”).
4. Participate in a classroom token system, making choices to spend, save, or trade for simple rewards.
5. Tell or draw a short story about a person making a money choice and explain what they gave up or got in return.

Standards Alignment — 1st Grade (C3-based custom)

• 1.C3.Econ.3 — Explain that people work jobs to earn money and help others.
  • Example: Match workers to tools and places of work.
• 1.C3.Econ.4 — Describe choices, saving, and simple trade/exchange.
  • Example: Classroom token system—save three tokens for a bigger reward.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can say that people work jobs to earn money and help others.
• I can tell how money helps families buy needs and wants.
• I can explain why someone might save money instead of spending it right away.
• I can make a choice in a token shop and tell whether I spent, saved, or traded.
• I can tell a simple story about a money choice and what was given up or gained.