Virginia SOL K.8.a

Social StudiesKindergarten

The Standard

describing ways people work to earn and save money to buy the things they need and want

Virginia Standards of Learning for History and Social Science

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students explain that adults receive money for doing jobs. They tell how setting aside some money helps people afford larger purchases later.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can name a job, explain that the worker is paid, and give a reason to save. The student can sort purchases into needs and wants.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think money comes freely from banks or machines. They may also confuse saving with hiding money, or label every desired item as a need.
How to Assess It: Give students pictures of food, shoes, and a toy. Ask, “Which should a family buy first, and how could they plan for the toy?”

Lesson moves

Set up a classroom store where students earn play coins for jobs, choose one item, and place extra coins in a savings jar.
Ask students to draw something they want and finish the sentence, “I could save for it by...”
Play a matching game where students pair job cards with paychecks, then choose whether to spend or save each paycheck.
Examine a grocery advertisement and have students circle family needs, star wants, and choose one item that may require saving.

Keep exploring

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