Banking · Banking Skills · HTML Lesson
How to Use an ATM
An online lesson and video for students on how to safely use an ATM — finding machines, making withdrawals and deposits, avoiding fees, and protecting personal information. The lesson and video are free. An accompanying worksheet is available with Full Membership.
What Students Learn
Learning objectives
- How to locate an ATM and what to look for when choosing between in-network and out-of-network machines
- The step-by-step process for making a safe withdrawal — inserting a card, entering a PIN, selecting an amount, and collecting cash and receipt
- How to make deposits at an ATM and when that option is available through your bank
- What ATM fees are, how they add up, and how to avoid them by using in-network machines
- Key ATM safety practices — shielding your PIN, checking for card skimmers, and staying aware of your surroundings
- How ATM usage connects to managing a checking account balance and recording transactions in a check register
Video Lesson
Watch: How to Use an ATM
For Teachers
How to use this lesson
Play the video to walk students through the full ATM process visually. Use the lesson page’s step-by-step guide for discussion. After viewing, ask students to identify the steps in sequence without looking at the lesson — reinforces retention of procedural knowledge.
Discussion: What happens if you forget your PIN? What should you do if an ATM keeps your card? What’s the difference between using your bank’s ATM and a convenience store ATM? These questions surface real-world decision points that make the lesson memorable.
Works well as part of a banking unit — after checking account basics and before bank statement lessons. Particularly effective for students who are approaching their first job and first paycheck.
Lesson Plan
How to use an ATM — full lesson plan
Objective
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to confidently and safely use an ATM to withdraw cash and check an account balance.
Materials needed
- The “How to Use an ATM” video (above)
- An ATM machine, if available
- Paper and pens for note-taking; the discussion questions and quiz
Procedure
Introduction (5 minutes). Introduce the topic and ask students whether they have used an ATM and what the experience was like. Explain the objective and why ATM skills matter.
Video presentation (10 minutes). Show the video and have students take notes on the steps, then review the steps together.
Discussion (10 minutes). Discuss:
- Why is it important to use an ATM in a well-lit, busy area?
- Why should you cover the keypad while entering your PIN?
- What should you do if you enter your PIN incorrectly too many times?
- What different transactions can you complete at an ATM?
- Why should you make sure you have enough money in your account before withdrawing cash?
Activity (15 minutes). In pairs or small groups, students solve a hypothetical ATM scenario (for example, needing to withdraw $50 with only $40 in the account) using the steps from the video, then share their solutions with the class.
Quiz (10 minutes). Students complete the quiz; review the answers together.
Conclusion (5 minutes). Summarize the main points and encourage students to practice using an ATM safely and securely.
The lesson content and video above are free to use. The printable worksheet below is available with Full Membership.
Printable Worksheet · Full Membership
How to Use an ATM — Worksheet & Answer Key
A printable worksheet on using an ATM safely — withdrawing cash, checking a balance, and protecting your PIN — with an answer key for teacher use.
Hands-on Practice
Let students actually use an ATM.
The ATM Banking Simulation pairs this lesson with a working on-screen cash machine — students insert the card, enter a PIN, check a balance, withdraw cash, and take the receipt. Free interactive simulator plus a printable lesson plan.
Related Lesson
The simulation includes an ATM withdrawal.
The Checking Account Simulation covers 9 transaction types including an ATM cash withdrawal — all in one check register, reconciled against a bank statement.
Related Topics
More banking and personal finance resources
Unlock the full Money Instructor library
Members get unlimited access to worksheets, lesson plans, and teacher resources across every financial literacy topic — budgeting, taxes, credit, banking, and more.