The students will recognize that in order to facilitate the exchange of goods and services, most nations create currency for use as money. They will examine the characteristics of money by comparing and contrasting examples of U.S. and world currencies. Imagining that their classroom is a country, students choose whom to honor and what images to depict as they create their own form of paper money.
Explain to the students that money is very important. It is what people use to give value to goods and services, and it’s the best way for people to get the things they want.
To introduce the concept, hold a pretend auction for a week’s worth of "homework passes." Ask the students what they would trade you for the passes, telling them they cannot offer money. After taking a few offers, ask the students to discuss as a class why it would be difficult to make trades in this way. [Different people place different value on items such as the things they may have offered you, but money is a widely accepted form of exchange that has a specific agreed-upon value.]
Tell the students that most countries create currency for use as money, and today, right here in class, they are going to do the same thing!
[NOTE: The benefits of this lesson are twofold. In the short term, the students should understand why money is important, and what goes into creating a currency that will be useful. In the process of their work, they should very much enjoy the opportunities for creativity and personal expression the lesson provides. In the longer term, there are a many possibilities for a class that has its own currency. The currency can be used for incentives and rewards, buying and selling activities, games, events, etc. It could even be used as the means of exchange for a class-wide “mini-economy,” facilitating the process in economics-related events and lessons taking place periodically throughout an entire school year.]
As you determined in the introductory activity, money is useful for a lot of reasons. It can help you buy goods (things you want or need) or pay for services (things people do for you). It does this by providing a common, agreed-upon exchange value. Most countries have a form of paper currency for use as money.
Ask your students: If you classroom were its own country, what would its money be made of?
To explore the possibilities, ask the students to look at different types of paper money.
Tell the students: Once you decide on the materials and denominations, you'll need to decide what your currency will look like.
[Common choices for images on currency include: portraits (figures from the country's history, such as politicians, artists, military figures or scientists; pictures of important places and buildings; pictures of a product produced in that country, such as wheat or sugar cane. Basically, the images on currency represent aspects of that country. Other items that are included are value amounts, information about the issuing agency, and legal information.]
Tell the students to write down all of their ideas.
[NOTE: Grouping the students for this brainstorming activity is at your discretion. You may allow students to brainstorm individually or to work in small groups, or you may lead the entire class in a discussion of the possibilities.]
The students may have many different ideas about what images to include and/or what style/s to emulate.
Following this discussion, the entire class must make a final determination of the form its currency will take. Analysis, criticism, further brainstorming and other techniques may all be necessary to arrive at prototypes for the various denominations to be created. Moreover, the process for determining what elements will be included in the final products is at your discretion. You may allow a vote or decide by lottery, or you may select the best options yourself. In addition to discussion of the elements to be included, you may choose to include the class in a determination of the art media to be used.
After you complete this process, distribute the requisite art supplies.
This is where your students will create their classroom currency. Provide them with plenty of tools (paper, markers, crayons, etc) to do so. The 'micro-national classroom sovereignty' aspect of this exercise will likely be fairly engaging for all students, as it offers them the opportunity to use their own creativity and their personal views about what is important in the task at hand. However, if you notice a student who is less than fully engaged, consult privately with that individual in order to learn what might be holding him or her back.
In the Compare and Contrast activity, students will need to switch between windows in order to view the images they are analyzing. Some students may not be adept at the technique of switching between windows and may need a brief refresher.
Ask the students to consider these questions:
So, now that your class has its own form of currency, what will you do with it? Any ideas? [Elicit suggestions as to how the students’ play money might enhance their learning experience throughout the year. Perhaps you can set up a market, or put on a show for other classes and sell tickets.]
Engage the students in a "thumbs up – thumbs down" activity. Hold up several different items (such as a piece of fruit, a bag of marbles, a weight and other items from around the classroom). Ask the following questions for each one, and observe students’ responses to each question:
In addition to the questioning activity, you should observe the students’ participation in and contributions to the discussion and decision-making process. In the course of this process, students are producing written accounts of their brainstorming process. These may be assessed for thoroughness, creativity, flexible thinking, and other criteria. The nature of the final product may also considered and assessed for a number of criteria, including its attractiveness, neatness and the degree to which it pays attention to the necessary characteristics of money–and adheres to the original concept, as determined by the class.
Content Partner
Grades 3-5
Content Partner
Grades 6-8, 9-12
Grades 6-8, 9-12
Grades 9-12
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