Students interview family members, friends, or other trusted adults about ways they get paid (wages, salaries, tips, or commissions) and then track the pay types on a graph.
Topic
Earn (Getting paid, Making money)
Subject
Math, Social studies or history
Grade Level
Elementary school (2-3), Elementary school (4-5)
Duration
75-90 minutes
Big idea
Workers are paid in different ways such as wages, salaries, tips, and commissions.
Essential questions
- What are four types of pay?
- Which types of pay are most common?
Objectives
- Understand the difference between wages, salaries, tips, and commissions
- Learn about the types of pay that adult friends and family members earn
What students will do
- Discuss the difference between wages, salaries, tips, and commissions.
- Interview trusted adults about the types of pay they earn.
- Help create a bar graph on types of pay using sticky notes.
Download activity
Teacher guide
cfpb_building_block_activities_charting-types-pay_guide.pdf
Student materials
cfpb_building_block_activities_charting-types-pay_worksheet.pdf
Note: Please remember to consider your students’ accommodations and special needs to ensure that all students are able to participate in a meaningful way.
