Are your high school students prepared to manage money when they leave school?
Many teenagers know how to use a debit card, order something online, or receive a paycheck—but do they understand how checking and savings accounts work, what taxes are taken from a paycheck, how credit cards can lead to debt, or how their credit score can affect their future?
These are essential financial literacy skills for teens, yet they aren’t always taught in a way that allows students to practice applying them to real-life situations.
When my children were teenagers, I made a point of teaching them as much as I could about personal finance and money management before they left high school.
One day, I was helping my daughter complete the paperwork for a new job. As we worked through her W-4, she looked at me and essentially said, Why don’t they teach us this stuff in school?
She had a point.
Students spend years learning academic subjects, but many graduate from high school without knowing how to read a pay stub, understand a W-2, file a tax return, compare bank accounts, or use a credit card responsibly.
That experience made me realize just how important financial education for teenagers really is.
Why Financial Literacy Matters for Teens
Financial literacy isn’t simply about knowing how to save money.
It’s about giving students the knowledge and confidence to make smart financial decisions as they begin adulthood.
A financially literate teenager should understand concepts such as:
Earning and managing income
Checking and savings accounts
Direct deposit
Budgeting and saving
Debit and credit cards
Credit card interest
Credit scores
Taxes and tax forms
Paychecks and pay stubs
W-4 and W-2 forms
Making responsible financial decisions
Understanding the long-term consequences of borrowing money
Teaching these concepts before students graduate allows them to practice financial decision-making before they’re making those decisions on their own.
1. Teach Teens About Savings Accounts
One of the easiest places to begin teaching financial literacy is with a savings account.
Whether students are saving money from an allowance, gifts, a part-time job, or another source of income, they should understand why saving is important and how a savings account works.
Students can learn to compare different accounts and consider factors such as:
Interest rates
Minimum balances
Fees
Accessibility
Account features
How interest can help money grow
These may seem like simple concepts, but learning them early helps students develop good money-management habits.
2. Teach Teens How Checking Accounts Work
Once students get their first job, they’ll likely need a checking account.
Many employers use direct deposit, so understanding how a checking account works is an important part of preparing for employment.
Students should know how to:
Deposit and access money
Use a debit card
Read an account statement
Understand account balances
Recognize banking fees
Use direct deposit
Track spending
Avoid overdrawing an account
A classroom lesson on checking accounts can give students a chance to practice these skills before they’re responsible for managing their own money.
3. Help Students Understand Their First Paycheck
Getting that first paycheck is exciting—until students realize that their gross pay isn’t the amount that actually lands in their bank account!
This is a perfect opportunity to teach students about gross pay, net pay, deductions, Social Security, Medicare, and federal income tax.
Students should also understand the paperwork that comes with starting a new job.
That includes learning about:
W-4 forms
Direct deposit forms
Pay stubs
Gross income
Net income
Tax withholding
W-2 forms
These are real-world financial skills that students will use almost immediately after entering the workforce.
4. Teach Teens About Taxes
Taxes can be confusing for adults—so imagine how overwhelming they can be for a teenager filing a tax return for the first time!
Students should understand that earning money generally means dealing with taxes.
They can learn how to read a W-2 and understand the basic information reported on it. They can also learn how a Form 1040 is used to file a federal income tax return.
Even if a student doesn’t earn enough to owe federal income tax, they may still need to file a return to receive a refund of money that was withheld from their paycheck.
Allowing students to practice completing a tax return in high school can make the process much less intimidating when they eventually have to do it themselves.
5. Explain the Difference Between Debit and Credit Cards
Teenagers are surrounded by opportunities to spend money.
Online shopping, food delivery, subscriptions, entertainment, and social media all make spending incredibly easy.
That’s why students need to understand the difference between debit cards and credit cards.
With a debit card, money generally comes directly from the student’s bank account.
With a credit card, the student is borrowing money and agreeing to repay it.
That distinction is critical.
Students also need to understand what happens when they don’t pay a credit card balance in full.
6. Show Students How Credit Card Debt Can Grow
One of the most valuable financial literacy activities you can do with teenagers is demonstrate how credit card interest works.
A purchase that seems affordable can become much more expensive when interest is added, and the balance isn’t paid off.
Rather than simply telling students that credit card debt is dangerous, let them see the numbers for themselves.
Students can calculate how long it could take to pay off a balance while making minimum payments and how much interest they could ultimately pay.
This turns an abstract financial concept into a real-world lesson students are much more likely to remember.
7. Teach Students About Credit Scores
A credit score may seem like something that only matters when students are older, but the financial choices they make as young adults can have long-term consequences.
Students should understand:
What a credit score is
Why credit scores matter
What can affect a credit score
How responsible credit use can help establish good credit
How missed payments and excessive debt can hurt credit
Why a poor credit score can make borrowing money more expensive
A strong credit history can affect future financial decisions involving things such as cars, housing, loans, and credit cards.
The earlier students understand this connection, the better prepared they are to make responsible choices.
Make Financial Literacy Relevant to Teenagers
The best financial literacy lessons aren’t simply lists of vocabulary words or worksheets defining financial terms.
Students need opportunities to use financial information to solve realistic problems and make decisions.
For example, instead of asking students to define “credit score,” give them a scenario involving two people with different credit scores and ask them to compare the cost of borrowing money.
Instead of simply defining “net pay,” give students a sample paycheck and have them determine how much money they actually take home.
Instead of telling students that taxes are withheld from their paychecks, let them examine a pay stub and identify the deductions.
Looking for Financial Literacy Activities for High School?
If you’re looking for ready-to-use financial literacy activities for teens, I’ve created a collection of resources designed to make these concepts practical and engaging for high school students.
The activities cover essential topics including:
Savings accounts
Checking accounts
Credit and debit cards
Credit scores
Jobs and taxes
W-4 and W-2 forms
Federal Form 1040
Real-world money management
Students aren’t just reading about financial concepts. They research, calculate, problem-solve, and apply what they’re learning.
Several of the units also include interactive escape room activities, giving students a more engaging way to review and apply financial literacy concepts.
Financial literacy becomes much more meaningful when students can see how it applies to their own lives.
Financial Literacy Bundle
If you want to teach multiple financial literacy topics, you can save by getting all five units together in the Financial Literacy Bundle.
The bundle includes financial literacy activities covering checking accounts, savings accounts, credit and debit cards, credit scores, and jobs and taxes.
It’s designed for high school personal finance, financial literacy, economics, consumer math, career readiness, and life skills classes.
Give Teens the Financial Skills They Need for Adulthood
We can’t assume that students will automatically learn how to manage money once they graduate.
They need opportunities to learn—and practice—these skills while they’re still in school.
Teaching teenagers about saving, banking, credit, taxes, income, and responsible money management can give them a stronger foundation as they enter college, the workforce, and adulthood.
Because knowing how to manage money isn’t just a nice skill to have.
Are you interested in reading about and sharing ideas with other educators on using children’s literature in your classroom? My goal is to bring together teachers and homeschoolers who teach grades 3-8 and use novels with their students. I’d love for you to join me to learn, share, and grow together!
The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies has the power to captivate young minds and impart valuable life lessons. The story is one of sibling rivalry and the road to entrepreneurship, at its finest.
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Benefits of Using The Lemonade War in Your Classroom:
ProvidesRelevance to Real-life Situations: The Lemonade War revolves around the entrepreneurial endeavors of siblings, Jessie and Evan, as they compete to run successful lemonade stands. This storyline mirrors real-life scenarios, allowing students to connect with the characters and the challenges they face. By exploring themes of competition, cooperation, and resilience, teachers can initiate meaningful discussions on problem-solving and conflict resolution.
OffersMultidisciplinary Learning Opportunities: Davies’ novel is rich with themes and topics that span various academic disciplines. From mathematics (calculating profits and losses) to economics (understanding market dynamics) and even social studies (exploring entrepreneurship), The Lemonade War serves as a versatile educational resource. Teachers can weave interdisciplinary connections, fostering a holistic approach to learning.
Promotes Literacy Skills: As an engaging work of fiction, The Lemonade War captivates students’ imagination and cultivates their literacy skills. Through colorful storytelling and relatable characters, Davies not only entertains but also educates. Teachers can leverage the novel to enhance students’ reading comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking abilities. Furthermore, structured activities such as journal prompts, character analyses, and plot summaries can deepen students’ understanding of the text.
Cultivates Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Beyond its academic merits, The Lemonade War offers valuable lessons in empathy and emotional intelligence. By diving into the characters’ motivations, struggles, and triumphs, students develop a deeper understanding of human emotions and interpersonal dynamics. Teachers can facilitate discussions on empathy, perspective-taking, and conflict resolution, nurturing students’ social-emotional competencies in the process.
Brings Diverse Representation and Inclusive Narratives: Davies’ novel features a diverse cast of characters, reflecting the richness of the human experience. By presenting characters from various backgrounds and perspectives, The Lemonade War promotes inclusivity and celebrates diversity. Teachers can use the book as a springboard for conversations about identity, representation, and cultural awareness, fostering an inclusive classroom environment where every student feels seen and valued.
Incorporating The Lemonade War into the classroom offers a multitude of benefits, ranging from academic enrichment to the cultivation of essential life skills. By embracing this captivating novel, teachers can ignite students’ curiosity, spark meaningful discussions, and instill a lifelong love for reading.
I offer a complete novel study to accompany The Lemonade War for use in the classroom or homeschool. The unit includes both a printable format and a Google Drive™ format for use in a paperless classroom or with Google Classroom.
Try a free sample of the novel study for The Lemonade War
You can purchase this novel study at the following locations:
Are you interested in reading about and sharing ideas with other educators on using children’s literature in your classroom? My goal is to bring together teachers and homeschoolers who teach grades 3-8 and use novels with their students. I’d love for you to join me to learn, share, and grow together!
If you’re looking for a How to Eat Fried Worms novel study that will keep your students engaged while giving you meaningful reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing, and critical-thinking activities, How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell is a fantastic choice.
The humorous story of Billy and his friends immediately grabs students’ attention, but there’s much more to this classic children’s novel than its unforgettable title. How to Eat Fried Worms gives upper-elementary students opportunities to explore friendship, peer pressure, courage, decision-making, character development, and the consequences of our choices.
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And for teachers, it’s a book that can turn into a rich ELA novel unit without requiring hours of preparation.
Why Teach How to Eat Fried Worms?
Some books are difficult to put down once students start reading them. How to Eat Fried Worms is one of those books.
The premise is simple: Billy accepts a bet that he can eat 15 worms in 15 days. What follows is a funny—and sometimes gross—adventure as Billy attempts to keep his promise while dealing with his friends, his fears, and increasingly creative ways of preparing worms.
That ridiculous-sounding premise is exactly what makes the novel so appealing to many upper-elementary readers.
But underneath the humor are some excellent opportunities for classroom discussion and literary analysis.
1. It Gets Reluctant Readers Interested in Reading
Getting students excited about a novel isn’t always easy.
A book about a boy who agrees to eat worms?
That gets their attention.
The humor and outrageous premise of How to Eat Fried Worms can be especially effective for students who aren’t naturally enthusiastic readers. Once students become invested in Billy’s challenge, they have a reason to keep reading to find out what happens next.
That makes this novel a great choice for:
4th grade ELA
5th grade ELA
6th grade ELA
Whole-class novel studies
Small-group reading
Literature circles
Independent reading
Homeschool reading
Reading intervention
2. Explore Friendship and Peer Pressure
One of the strongest themes in How to Eat Fried Worms is peer pressure.
Billy’s decision to accept the worm-eating challenge gives students an authentic way to discuss questions such as:
Why do people sometimes agree to things they don’t really want to do?
How does peer pressure influence our decisions?
What makes someone a good friend?
When should you stand up for yourself?
What are the consequences of making a decision just to prove something?
These questions can lead to meaningful classroom conversations that go far beyond simply asking students what happened in each chapter.
3. Build Reading Comprehension Skills
A strong novel study should do more than make sure students finished the assigned chapters.
How to Eat Fried Worms provides opportunities to practice important reading comprehension skills, including:
Identifying important details
Making inferences
Analyzing characters
Identifying problems and solutions
Determining cause and effect
Making predictions
Understanding themes
Summarizing
Supporting answers with evidence
Thinking critically about characters’ decisions
Using comprehension questions throughout the novel gives students a reason to slow down and think about what they’re reading rather than simply racing to the end of the book.
4. Teach Vocabulary in Context
The novel also provides opportunities to strengthen students’ vocabulary.
Rather than teaching vocabulary as a completely separate activity, students can encounter new words in the context of a story they actually want to read.
Students can practice:
Determining word meaning from context
Using new vocabulary correctly
Identifying synonyms and antonyms
Applying vocabulary in writing
Connecting words to the events and characters in the novel
This makes How to Eat Fried Worms vocabulary activities a natural part of the reading experience.
5. Connect Reading to Writing
A great novel study shouldn’t stop with comprehension questions.
Once students become invested in Billy’s challenge, the story provides plenty of writing opportunities.
Students can respond to characters, events, conflicts, and themes while practicing their ability to explain their thinking using evidence from the text.
Writing activities can help students move from:
“What happened?”
to:
“Why did it happen, and what do I think about it?”
That shift is an important part of developing stronger readers and writers.
A No-Prep How to Eat Fried Worms Novel Study
Of course, knowing that a book has great teaching potential is only half the battle.
The other question is:
How much time will it take to turn the novel into a complete unit?
Creating your own How to Eat Fried Worms worksheets, comprehension questions, vocabulary activities, writing assignments, assessments, and lesson plans can take hours.
Instead of piecing together activities from multiple sources, you can have your entire novel unit organized and ready to teach.
What’s Included in the How to Eat Fried Worms Novel Study?
The complete unit includes both printable and digital Google Drive™ resources, making it flexible enough for traditional classrooms, paperless classrooms, distance learning, small groups, and homeschool settings.
Teacher Resources
The teacher packet includes:
Detailed daily lesson plans
Pacing and Standards Guide
Chapter/Section Guide
Vocabulary Word Wall Cards
Answer keys
Parent letter
Student Activities
Students receive activities that include:
Vocabulary and grammar activities
Vocabulary practice for 36 words
Chapter-by-chapter comprehension questions
Short-answer questions designed to encourage deeper thinking
Extension activities connected to the novel
The extension activities are only included in the complete novel study, making the full unit a particularly valuable option if you want more than basic comprehension worksheets.
Assessments
The assessment packet includes:
After-the-book vocabulary quiz
After-the-book comprehension assessment
Multiple-choice comprehension questions
Short-answer comprehension questions
After-the-book writing assessment
Self-grading Google Drive™ multiple-choice quizzes
Additional Reading Activities
The unit also includes:
End-of-the-Book Activity Packet
Story Elements Interactive Notebook Activity Packet
Common Core Standards alignment for grades 4-6
Everything is designed to work together as a cohesive How to Eat Fried Worms book unit.
Printable or Digital? You Get Both.
Today’s classrooms don’t all look the same.
Some teachers still prefer students to work with printed pages. Others use Google Classroom and want digital resources. Many teachers use a combination of both.
That’s why this How to Eat Fried Worms novel study includes both printable and Google Drive™ formats.
You can print the materials for students who prefer paper or assign the digital version in your paperless classroom.
That flexibility also makes the unit useful for:
Classroom instruction
Google Classroom
Distance learning
Small-group instruction
Independent study
Homeschooling
Make How to Eat Fried Worms More Than Just a Book
The best novel studies help students experience a story while simultaneously developing stronger reading and thinking skills.
How to Eat Fried Worms gives you a particularly fun way to do that.
Students can laugh at Billy’s increasingly outrageous worm-eating challenge while also thinking about friendship, peer pressure, courage, decision-making, character traits, consequences, and personal responsibility.
And you don’t have to spend your weekend creating all of the materials yourself.
Download the FREE preview to see examples of the activities and lesson materials included in the unit.
It’s a great way to see how the novel study can fit into your classroom before you commit.
Ready to Teach How to Eat Fried Worms?
If you’re planning a 4th, 5th, or 6th grade novel study, this complete How to Eat Fried Worms book unit gives you the structure and resources you need to get started quickly.
No complicated preparation. No searching for individual worksheets. No piecing together vocabulary, comprehension, writing, and assessments from different resources.
Just grab your copy of How to Eat Fried Worms, download the unit, and start teaching.
Connect with Fellow Educators!
Are you teaching How to Eat Fried Worms this school year?
Join our free community, Book Talk with The Teaching Bank, to share ideas, grab freebies, and connect with 3rd–8th grade teachers using novels in the classroom!
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I had the opportunity to participate in a seminar hosted by Sherri of Literary Sherri, where she delved into the concept of Intersectionality. While this term might be unfamiliar to some, its significance cannot be overstated, particularly for educators. Intersectionality, as defined by Merriam-Webster, refers to the intricate way various forms of discrimination, such as racism, sexism, and classism, intersect and compound, particularly impacting marginalized individuals or groups.
Personally, I already had several literary works that championed intersectionality in the classroom, including titles like Out of My Mind, El Deafo, Fish in a Tree, Freak the Mighty, and Wonder. These contemporary novels serve as invaluable tools for fostering understanding of diverse experiences and nurturing empathy and awareness, thereby contributing to the cultivation of a more compassionate and enlightened community.
Amidst discussions within educational circles, one title that stood out was Dusti Bowling’s 2017 novel, Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus. This book lived up to its reputation, offering a compelling narrative that not only sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals with differences and disabilities but also manages to infuse humor into its pages. The protagonist, Aven, with her witty and contemporary perspective, draws readers in and prompts moments of genuine laughter. In many ways, I found myself even more captivated by this story than by Wonder.
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Benefits of Using Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus in Your Classroom:
Offers Diversity and Representation: Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus features a protagonist, Aven Green, who was born without arms. Through Aven’s perspective, author Dusti Bowling skillfully explores themes of disability, resilience, and self-acceptance. By including diverse characters like Aven in the curriculum, teachers can promote empathy and understanding among students. This representation also offers an opportunity for students with disabilities to see themselves reflected in literature, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment.
Provides Themes of Friendship and Acceptance: At its core, Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus is a story about friendship, acceptance, and finding one’s place in the world. As students follow Aven’s journey of navigating middle school while dealing with her own insecurities, they are presented with valuable lessons about empathy, compassion, and the importance of embracing differences. These themes resonate deeply with young readers and provide ample opportunities for meaningful discussions about friendship and inclusivity in the classroom.
Presented in an Engaging and Accessible Writing Style: Dusti Bowling’s writing style is both engaging and accessible, making Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus an ideal choice for middle-grade readers. The novel is filled with humor, heart, and memorable characters that capture the imagination of students from diverse backgrounds. Its fast-paced plot and relatable themes ensure that students remain invested in the story from start to finish, making it a valuable tool for promoting literacy and a love for reading.
Integrates Multidisciplinary Topics: Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus offers ample opportunities for cross-curricular exploration. Teachers can incorporate discussions about topics such as biology (exploring the science behind Aven’s condition), psychology (examining themes of resilience and coping mechanisms), and social studies (discussing themes of diversity and inclusion). By integrating these multidisciplinary topics into the curriculum, teachers can create a rich learning experience that resonates across different subject areas.
Empowers Students Through Personal Reflection: As students engage with Aven’s story, they are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences, challenges, and strengths. Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus prompts important questions about identity, self-acceptance, and perseverance, inviting students to explore their own values and beliefs. Through activities such as journaling, group discussions, and creative projects, teachers can empower students to embrace their uniqueness and cultivate a positive sense of self.
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus is more than just a novel—it’s a powerful tool for promoting empathy, understanding, and self-discovery among students. By incorporating this book into the classroom, teachers can create an inclusive learning environment where students feel seen, heard, and valued. With its diverse characters, engaging writing style, and rich thematic content, Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus has the potential to ignite a passion for reading and learning that extends far beyond the classroom.
I offer a full novel study for Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus that you can use with a whole class, small book groups, or individual students. It is easily adaptable and contains both a printable option and a Google Drive™ option.
Try a free sample of the novel study for Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus
You can purchase this novel study at the following locations:
Are you interested in reading about and sharing ideas with other educators on using children’s literature in your classroom? My goal is to bring together teachers and homeschoolers who teach grades 3-8 and use novels with their students. I’d love for you to join me to learn, share, and grow together!
Connect with Fellow Educators!
