Math Lesson Idea: Balancing a Checkbook

When your student feels comfortable with writing a check, teach how to reconcile the checkbook with the monthly bank statement.

• Guide for Balancing a Checkbook student handout.
• A copy of a bank statement,
• or go to this web-based lesson from RealityEducation.com, which includes a bank statement and check register.

• Discuss the importance of keeping a balanced checkbook.
• Explain the bank statement and discuss the terminology.
• Deposit
• Withdrawal
• Transaction
• Balance
• Demonstrate the process using the Guide for Balancing a Checkbook
• Encourage the use of a calculator for accuracy.
• Make suggestions for finding errors. Check the math. Are all checks entered and correctly subtracted? Are all deposits and withdrawals recorded and correctly calculated?