Challenge your class to examine the concept of wealth, and how money and possessions should not be the only indicators of a successful, fulfilled life in this ‘What is Wealth?’ Scheme of work for Year 5/6.

Children will first learn about alternative definitions of wealth, then, based on these definitions, explore ways of sharing and increasing both their wealth and the wealth of others.

Including lesson plans, engaging slideshows for the teaching input, differentiated activities and a range of printable resources, this ‘What is Wealth?’ scheme of work is a simple way to encourage your class to think about what they should really value in life.

Different Types of Wealth

In this first lesson, children are encouraged to think about what their definition of wealth is. They learn about the uneven distribution of wealth around the world, and discuss whether they think this is fair. Children then explore other types of wealth, including: family relationships, friendship, health, knowledge and education, self-esteem and confidence, and peace and relaxation. In their independent activities, children think about how important each of these different types of wealth are to them. Alternatively, children are given a set of scenarios from which they identify in what ways each person is wealthy, and how happy they think this wealth is making them.

This downloadable lesson includes a lesson plan, a slideshow presentation and printable teaching resources.

Sharing Wealth

Children first discuss whether we should share our wealth, and if so, how. They then explore what a charity is, why there are so many of them, and how they help people in need. Children learn how we can help charities in ways other than donating money, and will think about the positive effects for both the giver and the receiver. In their independent activities, they use character decision cards to explore the reasons why people might or might not decide to donate money, unwanted belongings or time to charities. Alternatively, children discuss how we can share other types of wealth with people closer to home, and are challenged to carry out some of these actions.

This downloadable lesson includes a lesson plan, a slideshow presentation and printable teaching resources.

Increasing Wealth

In this final lesson, children first recap on the different types of wealth, and think about how we could increase our wealth in each of these areas. Children compare some different activities, and discuss how they might be changed slightly to create even more wealth, both for them as individuals and others. In their independent work, children sort and discuss different activities according to the type of wealth they could increase. In the alternative activity, they will create a class booklet entitled, ‘How to Increase your Wealth’, using the knowledge they have gained.

This downloadable lesson includes a lesson plan, a slideshow presentation and printable teaching resources.