Banking · Checks & Check Writing · HTML Lesson
What Is a Check?
An online lesson and video on the basics of personal checks — what they are, the essential parts, how they work, and when they are still a necessary form of payment. The lesson and video are free. An accompanying worksheet is available with Full Membership.
What Students Learn
Learning objectives
- What a check is — a written document that instructs a bank to transfer a specific amount from your account to the payee
- The essential parts of a personal check: payee name, numerical amount, written-out amount, date, and signature
- Why each part of a check matters and how errors affect whether a check can be cashed or deposited
- How checks are processed through the banking system — from writing to clearing and settlement
- Common uses for checks today — rent, personal payments, and bill pay — and when they remain a necessary payment method
- Key terms: payee, payor, check register, endorsement, non-sufficient funds (NSF), and minimum balance
Video Lesson
Watch: What Is a Check?
For Teachers
How to use this lesson
Play the video as an introduction, then have students label the parts of a check using a blank check template or diagram. The lesson page includes a complete lesson plan, discussion questions, and a worksheet requiring Full Membership.
Discussion: Ask students whether they have seen or used a check before. Walk through each part of the check and discuss what happens if a section is left blank or filled in incorrectly. Connect to vocabulary — NSF fees, minimum balance requirements — that students will see in bank account disclosures.
Best positioned early in a checking unit — after a general intro to checking accounts but before lessons on how to write a check or keep a check register. Also appropriate for adult education students preparing to open their first checking account.
Lesson Plan
Understanding checks — full lesson plan
Objective
- Students will be able to define what a check is and explain its components.
- Students will understand the advantages and the situations where using a check might be beneficial.
Materials needed
- The “What Is a Check?” video (above)
- Whiteboard or a digital equivalent
- Blank check templates, paper, and pens
Procedure
Introduction (5 minutes). Ask students what they already know about checks and write their answers on the board.
Video presentation (10 minutes). Show the “What Is a Check?” video and have students take notes on the main points and key definitions.
Discussion (10 minutes). Work through these questions as a class:
- What are the advantages of using a check over cash?
- Can anyone cash a check that is lost or stolen? Why or why not?
- Describe the components found on a typical check.
- When do you think it is necessary to use a check?
Activity (15 minutes). Hand out blank check templates and have students fill them out as if paying for rent, a gift, or a bill. Check each one for accuracy.
Quiz (5 minutes). Give a short quiz covering the major concepts from the video to check retention and understanding.
Closure (5 minutes). Summarize the key points covered in the lesson and invite any remaining questions.
The lesson content and video above are free to use. The printable worksheet below is available with Full Membership.
Printable Worksheet · Full Membership
What Is a Check? — Worksheet & Answer Key
A printable worksheet on the parts of a check and how checks work, with an answer key for teacher use.
Related Lesson
Ready to go further?
The Checking Account Simulation has students write three checks as part of a realistic monthly register scenario — with a bank statement to reconcile at the end.
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