TD Bank Financial Education 2 Grades 6-8/Lesson 2
Lesson Begins: Setting the Stage
Background Builder #1: Ask students to recall the information covered in the last lesson. They should
be able to tell you about writing checks and recording transactions in a checking account register. Ask
students to tell you more about the checking account register. Elicit from students the need to record
accurate information, the need to record all transactions, accurate arithmetic and neatness.
State the Objective: tell the students what they will be able to do upon conclusion of the lesson.
“Today we are going to learn about reconciling a checking account register and a checking account
statement. You will also learn that there are ways to access your checking account information if you ever
forget to record a transaction or have another problem.”
Lesson Continues
People can use a checking account to pay for utilities, housing, food, clothing, and services. Nearly
everyone uses a checking account because it is a safer way to pay for things than using cash. If you carry
a lot of cash on your person or send cash through the mail, it can easily be stolen. When you write a
check from your checking account you give permission to a specific company or person to receive a
certain amount of money. ATM and debit cards connected to your checking account can also make
monetary transactions easier.
Things can become disorganized if you do not keep track of your money and your checks. When you
open a checking account, you receive a check register. This is the place to record every check you write,
every ATM withdrawal you make, and every deposit that you make. You will always know if you have
enough money to pay for the checks you have written, so that you don’t overdraw your account and get
into serious financial trouble. When you write a check, you must subtract the amount you spent from your
balance. A deposit means you can add the amount to your balance. Careful arithmetic is very important!
Proceed to discuss the aspects of an entry in a check register <refer to check register>: the check
number, the date it was written, the description of the check/debit or deposit, the amount of the
check/debit or the deposit, and the balance forward.
Distribute a copy of “Tracy Transaction’s Checking Account Transactions” to each student. Also distribute
a blank check register to each student. Instruct students to enter Tracy’s transactions accurately on their
checking account registers.
As students complete this activity it is vital to circulate among the students pointing out any areas that
may create problems or answering any questions that may arise.
Next distribute a checking account statement to each student. Explain to the students that they have the
option of receiving a paper statement in the mail or viewing their statement online. A checking account
statement will list all of the transactions processed through their checking account during the previous
month. Their statement will also include images or copies of cleared checks with their monthly statement.