Designing Money

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Social Studies

Grade(s)

K, 1

Overview

In this learning activity, students research the history of American currency. Students discuss objects that were traded or bartered before the use of coins or paper money. Students take a closer look at the symbols in the Great Seal on paper money. Students design their own currency.

Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): KG

SS10.K.11

Identify symbols, customs, famous individuals, and celebrations representative of our state and nation. (Alabama)

UP:SS10.K.11

Vocabulary

  • symbol
  • custom
  • famous
  • celebrations

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Our state and nation has certain symbols that represent it and its people.
  • There are certain customs common to citizens of our state and nation.
  • There are celebrations common to the citizens of our state and nation.
  • There are certain individuals who are widely recognized as representatives of our state and nation.
  • Vocabulary: symbol, custom, celebrate, celebration, represent, representative, state, nation, Alabama, United States, pledge, allegiance

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Identify various symbols of our state and nation, including the American flag, Alabama flag, bald eagle, etc.
  • Identify various customs of our state and nation, including reciting the "Pledge of Allegiance," singing the "Star Spangled Banner," etc.
  • Identify various famous individuals of our state and nation, including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., etc.
  • Identify various celebrations of our state and nation, including The Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, etc.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There are certain symbols, customs, celebrations, and famous individuals recognized by most citizens of our state and nation.
Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 1

SS10.1.10

Describe the role of money in everyday life.

UP:SS10.1.10

Vocabulary

  • money
  • needs
  • wants
  • saving
  • borrowing
  • buyers
  • sellers
  • specialized jobs
  • goods
  • services
  • barter
  • trade
  • spend
  • save

Knowledge

Students know:
  • How money plays a role in everyday life.
  • The difference between goods and services (for example, goods- food, toys, clothing; services - medical care, fire protection, law enforcement, library resources).
  • How money is the primary way to make purchases.
  • How money is earned through working (for example, job, chores, etc.).
  • The difference between purchases of needs and wants within their family.
  • How people save and borrow money.
  • How to differentiate between a buyer and seller.
  • Vocabulary: money, needs, wants, saving, borrowing, buyers, sellers, specialized jobs, goods, services, barter, trade, spend, save

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Recognize the primary role of money in everyday life.
  • Identify and describe needs and wants.
  • Describe saving and borrowing.
  • Describe buyers and sellers.
  • Describe the role specialized jobs play in the production of goods and services.
  • Identify and use appropriate vocabulary associated with the function of money (for example, barter, trade, spend, save).

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Money plays a role in everyday life.
  • Families make purchases of needs and wants. Students understand the concept of saving and borrowing.
  • There is a difference between buyers and sellers.
  • We can classify the specialized jobs of workers with regard to production of goods and services.
  • There is an appropriate vocabulary to use to describe the function of money.

CR Resource Type

Learning Activity

Resource Provider

Smithsonian

License Type

Custom
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