Summary
A $2 soda can cost $37 when you don't track your account balance. This lesson covers common banking fees, the difference between online balances and account statements, and how to reconcile accounts to avoid costly surprises.
Bellringer: The $37 Soda
- Present the overdraft scenario and give students 1–2 minutes to calculate the true cost of the soda before advancing to the discussion slide.
Instruction
- Overdraft vs. NSF fees, ATM fees, online balances vs. account statements, reconciliation, and other common fees
- Keep each slide to one concept — pause for on-slide questions before advancing
Discussion: Who Does Overdraft Protection Really Protect?
- Facilitate a class debate on whether overdraft fees are a service or a profit center for financial institutions.
- Prompt students to consider what they would do if they ran a bank.
Activity: Banking Simulation
- Students continue the Banking simulation from the Navigating Accounts lesson
- Allow 20–25 minutes of uninterrupted gameplay
Wrap-Up & Assessment
- Why is an NSF fee so damaging?
- Define reconciliation.
| Est. Time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 5 min | Bellringer: The $37 Soda |
|
| 10 min | Instruction |
|
| 7 min | Discussion: Who Does Overdraft Protection Really Protect? |
|
| 20 min | Activity: Banking Simulation |
|
| 3 min | Wrap-Up & Assessment |
|
Lesson Prep
Banking
Students run a small financial institution and learn about accounts, interest, and loans.
Class Presentation
Includes an 18-slide deck with teacher notes. Present from Banzai, download a PDF, or copy it to Google Slides.
Presentations, Ready to Go
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- Teacher NotesSlide-by-slide guidance, printable as one handout
Unit 5: Banking
Navigating Accounts
Your money is only as safe as the institution holding it. This lesson compares checking and savings accounts, explores the dangers of being "unbanked", and examines how you access your cash in a digital world.
The Cost of Banking
A $2 soda can cost $37 when you don't track your account balance. This lesson covers common banking fees, the difference between online balances and account statements, and how to reconcile accounts to avoid costly surprises.
Automation & Security
Your bank account is only as safe as your weakest habit. This lesson covers automation tools like direct deposit, split deposits, and recurring transfers—plus security essentials including MFA, social engineering, peer-to-peer risks, and WiFi dangers.
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