Use WebQuests which allow students to utilize old and new information to create an interactive budget. An example of a WebQuest to teach about budgets is "Personal Budget WebQuest," suitable for sixth-grade students in advanced mathematics, in which students use percentages to understand money. Another WebQuest is "Funding a Way to the Top," in which students investigate how money plays a role in presidential campaigns. These activities work as either individual or group projects.
Have students work on budgets as an element of learning in various subject areas. For example, have them explore the cost of a rainforest expedition through Africa and list the different places they will visit and how much it will cost. For connections to literature and art, have students create a brochure about the cost of attending a local college. The brochure can include information about how prospective students can budget their money for tuition, books, living expenses and personal needs.
In a math, business or computer classes, focus instruction on calculations of different components of the budget. Introduce students to the various templates for creating a budget in Microsoft Excel. Direct students to create a budget, and have them enter the figures in Excel and then create a pie chart and graph. For homework, have students create a personal budget with their parents for a new bicycle, art set or tickets to a concert, which they will then transfer to an Excel spreadsheet the next day. Assign each student or group of students a different graphing format to present to the class.
Have the class work together to create a budget for a particular classroom project. If parents and students are funding a sixth-grade trip at the end of the year, create a budget that includes elements such as travel expenses and admission to events and attractions. Have one student or one group of students update the budget each week. Some schools allow students to bring in extra change to help fund very small projects. If the school permits, use that change to create a budget for new classroom posters or plants.