Give Every Euro a Job
Your group has €20 for a reading corner — give every euro a job before it disappears.
Ready-to-print worksheets
PDF · Ages 9–12Beautifully designed and ready to print. Opens as a PDF you can print or save.
In the year workbook
My Money YearThis lesson has a companion in the printable year workbook: pupil pp. 51–52, teacher companion p. 42.
Learning objectives
- Check that four planned jobs (€8, €5, €4, €3) use all €20 without going over
- Adjust the buffer when a €2 replacement bulb is needed
- Rebuild a balanced €20 plan when the lamp costs €7 instead of €5
Vocabulary
- Budget
- A plan for how you will use your money.
- Income
- Money that comes in, usually from work.
- Expense
- Money that goes out to pay for something.
- Fixed
- A cost that stays the same each time, like rent.
- Flexible
- A cost you can change, like money spent on treats.
Materials
Minute-by-minute flow
7′
Hook
Teacher does
Read the story: the group has €20 for a reading corner, planning €8 books, €5 lamp, €4 save and €3 buffer. Ask which card facts are known and what to find out.
Students do
Name the four planned jobs and the €20 total.
10′
Model
Teacher does
Think aloud through task 1: add the four jobs — €8 + €5 + €4 + €3 = €20 — is every euro assigned without going over?
Students do
Check the total balances at exactly €20.
25′
Practise
Teacher does
Set tasks 2 and 3: a €2 replacement bulb comes from the €3 buffer (how much remains?), and in a separate plan the lamp costs €7 — rebuild from €20.
Students do
Show €3 − €2 = €1 left, then a balanced €20 plan such as books €8, lamp €7, save €2, buffer €3.
12′
Discuss
Teacher does
Surface the misconception: moving money between jobs does not create extra income — recheck the total after every change.
Students do
Re-add their revised plan to confirm it still makes €20.
6′
Exit
Teacher does
Pose the reflection: which job did you protect, and why?
Students do
Name a job they kept, such as safety, essential books or the buffer.
Check for understanding
Does every plan, including after the €2 bulb and the €7 lamp, still add up to exactly €20?
Exit ticket
One job I protected was… because…
Support
Use 20 paper coins and prelabelled envelopes.
Stretch
Add a second €3 surprise and defend a revised plan.
Home connection
Plan a fictional €20 project, give every euro a job, then rebalance when a €2 surprise cost appears — no real household money needed.