Lesson Plan

Budget Storytelling Plan

Participants will craft a budget-driven narrative, allocate resources to their story characters, and respond to unexpected financial twists to deepen practical budgeting and saving skills.

By embedding budgets in a story context, learners see real-world consequences of financial decisions, boosting engagement and long-term retention of budgeting principles.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials and Room Setup

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Story Launch

10 minutes

Step 2

Create Your Budget Character

15 minutes

Step 3

Budget Allocation and Storytelling

20 minutes

Step 4

Budget Plot Twists Game

15 minutes

Step 5

Reflection and Wrap-Up

15 minutes

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Slide Deck

The Budget Blockbuster: Story-Driven Budgeting

Welcome participants and set the stage. Explain that today’s session uses a movie-style story to explore budgeting decisions. Refer to the lesson plan’s Introduction and Story Launch section.

Meet Alex: Our Budget Hero

Introduce the core scenario. Read the slide aloud and invite questions about the character’s profile.

Core Budgeting Concepts

Define each term with examples. Relate back to Alex’s scenario.

Activity: Create Your Budget Character

Guide groups through the character creation activity. Reference the worksheet link.

Mapping Budgets on a Timeline

Demonstrate how to transform numbers into a story timeline. Encourage groups to sketch a month’s flow.

Game: Budget Plot Twists

Explain the plot twist game rules. Show a sample twist and how to adjust budgets.

Reflection & Discussion

Lead a group discussion. Use guiding questions to explore winners, losers, and learning moments.

Key Takeaways & Next Steps

Summarize key lessons and provide next steps. Remind participants of follow-up resources.

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Activity

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Game

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The Budget Blockbuster

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Tier 2
For Schools
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