Students learn a lesson in how to save money on back-to-school shopping with smart tips and strategies. They will discover how to make school preparation affordable and stress-free, from creating budget-friendly shopping lists to finding the best deals on school supplies.

In this lesson, students will learn essential tips for saving money on back-to-school shopping, including how to find the best deals, use student discounts, and create a cost-effective shopping list. They will explore smart strategies like buying in bulk, taking advantage of sales tax holidays, and considering refurbished electronics. Whether they are looking to cut costs on school supplies or manage their back-to-school budget more effectively, this lesson offers practical, easy-to-follow advice that will help them shop smarter, save more, and keep their expenses under control. This lesson is perfect for helping students maximize their back-to-school shopping without breaking the bank.

CONCEPTS

Use this video lesson on budgeting for school supplies. Learn basic related concepts of

• Saving Money
• Price Comparison
• Smart Shopping
• Money Management
• Planning and Budgeting
• Financial Responsibility
• Decision Making
• Consumer Skills

GRADE LEVEL

6-12th grades. Middle School. High School. Adult Education.

TIME REQUIRED

30-45 Minutes. It may be necessary to adjust the lesson plan and allocate more or less time to certain topics, depending on the needs and interests of the students. More in-depth lesson plan below will be longer.

PROCEDURE

Hand out the worksheet below (see the GET LESSON button near the bottom of the page).

Show students the video and have and have them complete the worksheet.  Review the questions on the worksheet.  For a more in-depth lesson, complete the lesson plan below.

Back to School Shopping on a Budget

After watching the video, ask students to summarize the main points made in the video.

 

Lesson Plan: Back to School Shopping on a Budget

Objective:

Students will learn practical strategies for saving money during back-to-school shopping, understand the importance of budgeting, and develop skills to plan and manage expenses effectively.

Materials Needed:

• Video: “Back to School Shopping on a Budget”
• Projector or screen for video presentation
• Whiteboard and markers
• Notebooks or worksheets for activities
• Internet-enabled devices for online research
• Quiz based on the video content

Lesson Duration:

• Total Time: 90 minutes
• Video Presentation: 10 minutes
• Discussion: 20 minutes
• Activity 1: Budget Planning Exercise: 20 minutes
• Activity 2: Price Comparison Exercise: 20 minutes
• Quiz: 15 minutes
• Wrap-up: 5 minutes

Lesson Outline:

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Briefly introduce the topic of back-to-school shopping and its financial impact on families.
• Ask students if they or their families have ever struggled with back-to-school shopping expenses.
• Introduce the video “Back to School Shopping on a Budget” and explain that it will provide helpful tips for saving money.

2. Video Presentation (10 minutes)

• Show the video “Back to School Shopping on a Budget” to the class.
• Encourage students to take notes on key tips and strategies mentioned in the video.

3. Discussion (20 minutes)

• Lead a class discussion on the key points from the video.
• Discussion Questions:
• What strategies from the video do you think would be the most effective for your family?
• How can planning ahead help reduce back-to-school shopping costs?
• Why is it important to stick to a shopping list?
• What are some advantages of buying in bulk?
• How can students take advantage of sales tax holidays and student discounts?
• What are the benefits of considering refurbished or gently used items?
• Encourage students to share personal experiences and any additional tips they might have for saving money on school supplies.

4. Activity 1: Budget Planning Exercise (20 minutes)

• Divide the students into small groups.
• Provide each group with a hypothetical budget for back-to-school shopping.
• Ask each group to create a detailed shopping list and allocate the budget accordingly.
• Students should consider all the tips from the video, such as planning ahead, sticking to a list, and finding deals.
• Each group will present their budget plan to the class.
• Discuss the different strategies each group used to stay within their budget.

5. Activity 2: Price Comparison Exercise (20 minutes)

• Ask students to select a few common back-to-school items (e.g., notebooks, backpacks, laptops).
• Have students research prices for these items online from different retailers.
• Students will compare the prices and note any opportunities for price matching or student discounts.
• Encourage students to use browser shopping tool extensions to find additional deals or coupons.
• Students will share their findings with the class, highlighting the best deals they found.

6. Quiz (15 minutes)

• Administer a quiz based on the video content to assess students’ understanding of the material.
• Questions should cover key tips for saving money, the importance of planning, and strategies like price matching and using student discounts.

7. Wrap-up (5 minutes)

• Summarize the key points discussed in the lesson.
• Encourage students to apply the tips and strategies learned in their own back-to-school shopping.
• Assign a short reflective writing assignment for homework: “How will you use what you’ve learned today to help your family save money on back-to-school shopping?”
• Remind students to discuss these strategies with their parents or guardians at home.

Lesson Resources

• Back to School Shopping on a Budget: Essential Tips to Save Big