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Credit Cards vs. Debit Cards

6-8th Grades
45 min

Summary

This lesson compares debit and credit cards by funding source, long-term cost, and fraud protection, then puts students in the shoes of a shopper deciding which card to use.

Activities

Bellringer: The Free Loan

  • Poll the class on whether interest is charged during the grace period.
  • Reveal the grace-period answer and let the surprise drive discussion.
5 min

Instruction

  • Walk through debit vs. credit funding and core card elements.
  • Break APR, minimum payments, and fraud protection across slides to keep pace.
10 min

Discussion: Help Sam Choose

  • Split into Team Debit and Team Credit with two-sided signs.
  • Run three rounds; debrief the correct card and reasoning after each vote.
15 min

Activity: Understanding Credit Cards

  • Students complete the Understanding Credit Cards worksheet, defining key terms in their own words.
10 min

Wrap-Up & Assessment

  • What is the main difference between a debit and a credit card?
  • What is the name of the period where you can use the bank's money without being charged interest?
5 min

Lesson Prep

Credit vs Debit Cards Worksheet thumbnail

Credit vs Debit Cards Worksheet

Students will match key debit and credit card vocabulary to its definitions and compare the two card types side by side across five factors.

Class Presentation

Includes a 25-slide deck with teacher notes. Present from Banzai, download a PDF, or copy it to Google Slides.

Presentations, Ready to Go

  • Built-in PresentationPresent full screen, straight from Banzai
  • Copy to Google SlidesMake an editable copy for your class
  • Download or PrintSave as a PDF or print
  • Teacher NotesSlide-by-slide guidance, printable as one handout

Unit 6: Credit & Borrowing

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