LESSON GOAL

BY THE END OF THIS LESSON,

you’ll write your very first simple contract (a real one!) for a job you and your parent or guardian agree on. You’ll practice communicating clearly, setting fair expectations, and building trust with a written agreement.

💬 let’s break it down

Ready to be a real boss? It’s time to write your first agreement — and guess what? You don’t need a lawyer, just a pencil and a parent. ✏️👩‍👧

This is your first real-life contract, and it’s going to help you:

Practice your communication skills
Get used to writing down details
Learn how grown-ups make sure jobs are done right (and people get paid!)
Feel confident saying, “I got this!”

Your agreement can be for something simple like:

Washing the car
Organizing a closet
Helping with a project
Babysitting your sibling for 30 minutes

You and your parent or guardian will talk it out, write it down, and sign it. This builds trust — and helps both sides stick to the plan.

🧠 ANALOGY: A Contract is Like a Team Playbook

In sports, everyone has to know their position and the plan.
If one person doesn't know what to do, the whole play can fall apart. 🏈

A contract is your business playbook. Everyone knows what to do, when to do it, and how the game ends — so everyone wins!

🤔 critical thinking questions

How does writing an agreement help both people feel respected?

Why is it better to agree on details ahead of time instead of figuring it out later?

How would you feel if someone promised to pay you but didn’t follow through?

What’s something you want to make sure is always included in your contracts?

✍️ journal entry: “My First Real Agreement”

Write about how it felt to write your first contract. What was the job? What did you agree to? Did it feel different than just saying yes out loud?
End your entry with this sentence:
“Next time I write a contract, I want to remember to…”

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 ACTIVITY WITH FAMILY OR FRIENDS: Sign & Deliver!

What You’ll Need:

Printable or handwritten contract template
Pens or markers
One “job” agreed on with your parent or guardian

What to Do:

Sit down together and talk about a simple job you can do.
Fill out a short contract:
- Job title
- What’s being done
- Deadline
- Pay (money, reward, screen time, etc.)
Both of you sign it — and shake on it!
When the job is complete, review it together. Did both sides hold up their part?

🎯 What This Teaches: Writing and following through on a contract builds responsibility, trust, and real-world communication skills.