In this PSHE unit on The World of Work, your Year 2 class will think about the different jobs they might like to do when they are older. Gender stereotypes are challenged and children learn about the importance of developing skills to equip them for the world of work. They think about what job they would like to have when they are older and set themselves targets to help them realise their ambition.

In the first lesson, children learn about the important difference between needs and wants. They then go on to learn how our strengths and interests lend themselves to different jobs. In the third lesson, children read the book 'It's a No-Money Day' (not included) to help them understand that not everyone has enough money. Your Year 2 class learn about the important role of food banks in supporting those who do not have all they need. In the following lesson, children learn about the importance of keeping money safe, and in the final lesson they think about their own ambition for the future. They think about the qualifications and key skills they will need and set targets for their future.

This Year 2 PSHE unit on The World of Work contains everything you need to teach these important life lessons to your class. Each lesson comes with a detailed lesson plan with differentiated activities, an engaging slideshow created by an experienced teacher, and all the high-quality printable resources required.

You might also want to take a look at our Economic Wellbeing and Aspirations collection of lessons.

A Knowledge Organiser is available to support the learning in this scheme. It is included in the Complete Series download or can be purchased individually.

Needs and wants

In this lesson, children will learn the difference between wants (things that would be nice to have and improve our lives) and needs (things that we need in order to survive).

They learn that jobs enable us to earn money to pay for things we want and need. Children could either research what different pets need in order to live happy and healthy lives or alternatively go on a fun scavenger hunt, deciding if pictured activities are wants or needs. Children then imagine what would happen if a family spent all of their money for the month on buying something their child wants.

Everything you need to teach this important lesson about needs and wants is included in the pack. There is a comprehensive lesson plan with differentiated activities, an engaging slideshow and all the printable resources needed.

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Strengths and interests

Children begin by mind-mapping as many different jobs as they can think of. They then explore the different strengths and interests needed to do various jobs.

Children match up descriptions of people’s strengths and interests to their ideal job and create job adverts, detailing the strengths and interests the ideal candidate will have.

This pack contains everything you need to teach this lesson about strengths and interests including a detailed lesson plan with differentiated activities, an interactive slideshow, and all the printable resources required.

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Not having enough money ks1

In this lesson, your class read ‘It’s a No-Money Day’ by Kate Milner (not included) to introduce the idea that not everyone has enough money for what they need. Children explore what food banks are and how they help people in need.

They find out why people might need to use a food bank and create posters to encourage people to donate to them. Alternatively, children could budget what a family will spend for a whole day to help them understand the importance of managing money responsibly.

Everything you need to teach this important lesson about how not everyone has enough money is included in the pack. There is a comprehensive lesson plan with differentiated activities, an engaging slideshow, and all the printable resources needed.

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Looking after money ks1

In this important lesson on looking after money ks1, children learn why money matters and they discuss why keeping money safe is important. They also find out how jobs enable adults to earn money.

They then either order cards to show the least safe to the safest place to keep money or alternatively create money boxes to store loose change. At the end of the lesson, children find out what to do if they lose or find money.

This pack contains everything you need to teach this lesson about keeping money safe including a detailed lesson plan with differentiated activities, an interactive slideshow, and all the printable resources required.

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What would I like to become?

In this final lesson, children think about what they would like to become when they are older. They learn how different jobs require different qualifications and skills. Gender stereotypes are challenged.

They set themselves targets and think about the skills, experience and interests they will need to achieve their ambition. At the end of the lesson, children share their ambitions with each other.

Everything you need to teach this important lesson about children's ambitions is included in the pack. There is a comprehensive lesson plan with differentiated activities, an engaging slideshow, and all the printable resources needed.

View Lesson 5

This Year 2 PSHE Knowledge Organiser has been created to complement our PSHE Economic Wellbeing and Aspirations strand. It is designed to support your children’s understanding of key vocabulary linked to this scheme of work. A thinking question and a big idea have been included to encourage your children to think deeply about this topic.

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