How to Teach Income

Key-Must-Teach Concepts

Income is earned! Yes, there are other ways to obtain money, such as weekly allowance or government benefits, but the money received from working can have more weight.

Net pay is what really matters. Net pay is the money you will actually hold in your hand at the end of the day, so that is the amount that really matters.

Income is flexible. Even as an adult who is salaried, I can attest that my bi-weekly paycheck amount changes (thankfully, not by a lot). So, keep that tidbit front and center when calculating income with your students. Each paycheck amount might slightly different.

Income Lesson Unit

Lesson Unit Objective

Calculate the gross pay of a part time job given an hourly wage.

5- Day Lesson Unit Break Down

Day 1- This day is to really introduce the concept of income, to make the learning a little light and fun, and to begin laying the groundwork for building upon. This looks like a fun brain teaser (which I suggest you also count up, because I was shocked how many jobs I’ve had when I really thought about it), followed by a look at a visual map to see how critical income is to every other part of one’s life, and then a true introduction with a reading passage (which also includes 5 T/F questions and 4 reflective writing prompts).

Income Reading Passage

Day 2- Time to get down to business with notes! Cover the basics with notes and have some fun along the way. I use this time to show real evidence of my income (yes, I still have my old paychecks from way back when). I bring them in to show students (with all personal information covered up), so they can see just how much I earned from real, part time work at different jobs. I will say, it’s usually pretty eye opening for them!

Then, start the list of ideas! Use whatever platform is best for you, but get ready to write. I’ve included a list of ideas in the lesson unit, but your class should create their own. Write down all local entry level jobs that your students would be appropriate to apply for with just a high school diploma. Remember, this shouldn’t contain a highly specialized skill (like ballet dancer), but minimal training that they might get paid to attend is acceptable. If they need some help getting started, have them grab their phones (or jump on maps.google.com) and start finding businesses around the area. Then, help them to identify the different jobs they might see if they were to walk into that business. (I’ve found my students really struggle with identifying different jobs. The map was a way to get the conversation and ideas flowing).

Have this list ready to distribute to students later in the week, if they need it. I usually made copies, hole-punched them, and was ready in case a student needed reminders or ideas come Day 3 & 4!

Day 3- The Parts worksheet is a nice blend of notes and structured application practice. As you will see, the first page clearly outlines basic vocabulary they will need to know and the back side begins with making the concept or idea more real (reading a paycheck).

The Calculating Income worksheet takes an entry level job that would earn minimum wage (ideally from the list your class created) and walks through the process of calculating what that paycheck would look like. This worksheet does review basic terms again as they will be used in each step of the worksheet.

Day 4- It’s time for student choice and practice. Students will choose a job from the list and will walk through the steps (while making important decisions about their ideal working hours) to calculate a paycheck. A little research is involved (check out Further Practice Ideas for how to incorporate this research into the lesson), but a little searching and reading can go a long way.

TIP: If my class is getting quick at this, then I throw them another copy of the worksheet and have them do it for job number 2, because, realistically, someone doesn’t just apply for one job when they want to start working, so knowing how different jobs will impact income is important!

Day 5- This is the time for final review, assessment, and a little more low-impact fun! I prefer to start the last day (or any test day) with a review and that is the time I like to use the task cards. Use them anyway you like (or read my suggestion below) for a full circle lesson recap. Then, settle everyone and go over highly missed concepts before handing over the 5 question assessment. As students turn in their ‘test’ I hand them a word search to keep them quiet and busy. I never put words backwards (for my low level readers sake), so this may be quick for some and challenging for others.

Income Lesson Unit

Reading Passage Options

I would suggest moving through the reading passage materials (reading passage, 5 true/false questions, and the 4 reading prompts), in order to solidify understanding. First, have the students read the passage (independently, as a class, or both), then review any key terms or areas that you anticipate may be newer information for them. Then, have them work through the 5 true false questions and turn in or grade allowed. Lastly, have them spend some time writing what they think, know, and feel about income.

Listen and Learn

A Listen & Learn is a short, 5 sentence PowerPoint/Google presentation that introduces the topic using visuals and audio. Ideal for non-readers! Read about what they are and how they might be right for your classroom here.

Task Card Ideas

If this is the first time using task cards (or even if it isn’t), I would use them in the most mundane way. Print, cut, and tape them around the room at different levels (some at eye level, some on the ground (to get kids sitting on the floor), and some on an open desk. Then, give each student an answer sheet. Give them a set amount of time (if they need a little motivation) to complete all 16. They can go in any order, but reminders to check the number with where they are marking their answer will be helpful).