Course Content
Self-Awareness & Self-Advocacy
Identifying strengths, needs, interests / Understanding disability in age-appropriate terms / Self-advocacy basics
Daily Living Skills
Routines, hygiene, scheduling / Meal planning and nutrition / Personal organization
0/15
Why Daily Routines Matter
Building a Personalized Morning Routine
Hygiene Basics
Personal Appearance & Social Expectations
Creating a Visual Schedule
Understanding Food Groups & Simple Nutrition
Planning Simple Meals
Grocery Shopping Skills
Kitchen Safety & Clean-Up
Practicing a Simple Meal Plan
Cleaning Routines
Laundry Skills
Home Safety
Personal Organization
Unit Review & Functional Skills Check
Money Management
Budgeting / Saving and spending habits / Banking basics (accounts, debit cards)
0/15
Topic Introduction: What Is Money Management?
Understanding Income and Expenses
Needs vs. Wants
Creating a Simple Budget (Part 1)
Creating a Simple Budget (Part 2)
Saving Money and Why It Matters
Spending Habits and Smart Choices
Understanding Prices and Comparison Shopping
Understanding Prices and Comparison Shopping
What Is a Bank?
Checking and Savings Accounts
Understanding Debit Cards
Keeping Track of Spending
Money Management Project: Plan a Week of Spending
Topic Assessment: Money Management Skills Check
Career Exploration
Interests surveys / Matching strengths to job types / Job shadowing or mock interviews
0/15
Career Exploration Introduction
Topic Introduction Assessment
Career Interests
Skills and Strengths for Work
Education and Training Requirements
Entry-Level Jobs
Career Pathways
Job Descriptions and Duties
Work Environments
Wages and Hours
Job Benefits
Career Vocabulary
Making Career Decisions
Setting Career Goals
Creating a Career Plan
Workplace Readiness
Work behaviors and soft skills / Time management / Following directions and using checklists
Community Navigation
Transportation (bus, UTA, rideshare safety) / Reading signs and maps / Public-place expectations (stores, libraries, clinics) /
Independent Living Skills
Laundry, cleaning, chores / Understanding leases and rules of shared living / Basic home safety
Communication & Relationships
Appropriate interactions / Digital/online safety / Setting boundaries
Health & Wellness
Understanding medicines / Scheduling appointments / Recognizing physical and mental health needs
Planning for the Future
IEP transition goals / Long–term planning (college, vocational programs, employment) / Accessing adult services (DSPD, Voc Rehab)
Executive Functioning & Soft Skills
0/1
Learned Helplessness
Transition to Adulthood

We will explore the parts of money management (budgeting, saving, spending, and banking)
so I can understand the basic skills needed to manage my own money
to make smarter decisions in my daily life
by identifying real-life examples of money choices I already make.

Topic: Money Management
Lesson 1 — Introduction: What Is Money Management?
❓ Why do people need money management skills in everyday life?
🎯 Purpose

We will explore the parts of money management (budgeting, saving, spending, and banking)
so I can understand the basic skills needed to manage my own money
to make smarter decisions in my daily life
by identifying real-life examples of money choices I already make.

🔰 Introduction

Students discuss everyday examples of spending, earning, and saving they already experience.

Key Vocabulary

  • Money management — making smart choices with money
  • Income — money coming in
  • Expenses — money going out
  • Budget — a plan for how to use money
📘 Study

1. What is Money Management?

Money management is the process of planning how to use money wisely.

Insert H5P embed code for activity: "What Is Money Management?"

2. Why Money Management Matters

Money management helps people pay bills, save for needs, avoid debt, and reduce stress.

Insert H5P embed code for activity: "Why Money Management Matters"
Real-Life Scenario:

Jordan gets $50 each week from work. Jordan buys snacks every day and runs out of money before the weekend. Jordan wants to save for new shoes but keeps spending too much.

*Students discuss how money management could help Jordan.*
Insert H5P: "Jordan’s Money Choices"
📝 Practice
Activity A — Identify Money Choices

Students list 3–5 examples of money choices they make each week.

Activity B — Needs, Wants, and Spending

Students categorize items as needs or wants using sample pictures or words.

Insert H5P: "Needs vs. Wants Sorting"
📊 Assessment

Exit Ticket:

  • What is money management?
  • Name one reason money management is important.
  • Give one real example of a money choice you make.
Insert H5P: "Money Management Check"
📄 Teacher Lesson Plan (Printable)

Lesson: Topic Introduction — What Is Money Management?

Time: 50 minutes

Purpose

We will explore the parts of money management so I can understand the basic skills needed to manage my own money to make smarter decisions in my daily life by identifying real-life examples of money choices I already make.

Materials

  • Whiteboard or projector
  • Income/expense cards
  • Needs vs. wants cards

PISPA Outline

P – Purpose: Review the lesson goal using the "We will / so I can / to / by" format.

I – Introduction:

  • Discuss everyday money decisions.
  • Introduce vocabulary.

S – Study:

  • Define money management.
  • Discuss why it matters.
  • Review the Jordan scenario.

P – Practice:

  • Activity A: Identify personal money choices.
  • Activity B: Needs vs. Wants.

A – Assessment:

  • Exit questions
  • Optional H5P check

Downloads

Download DOCX Lesson Plan
Download PDF Version

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