Date: February 10, 1999

Grade Level(s): 5

Subject(s):

• Social Studies/Economics

Duration: approximately 75 minutes.

Description: In this lesson, students will learn about Canadian currency and the ways in which it differs from American currency.

Goals: Students will understand and develop an appreciation for the differences between the currencies of the United States and Canada.

Objectives:

Knowledge:
Students will:
1. compare a U.S. dollar amount with a Canadian dollar amount.
2. identify at least one background element of the Canadian dollar.

Skills:
Students will:
1. use the Internet to convert U.S. currency into Canadian currency.

Attitude:
Students will:
1. appreciate the U.S. economic system.

Materials: Computers with Internet access, poster board cut in the shape of Canada, construction paper(white-3"x7" and colored-4"x4"), crayons, markers, scissors, Canadian money

Procedure:

1. Teacher will present information pertaining to Canadian currency including appearance, background, value, and usage.
2. Students will go to the Universal Currency Converter at http://www.xe.com/ucc/ . Students will have brought a price tag or receipt from any item with them as homework. (Note: Teacher should bring extra in case students do not have access to such items.) Students will then convert the amount on their price tag into Canadian dollars. They will record the name of their item along with both dollar amounts on pieces of colored construction paper. Students will bring their paper back to class and place it on the "Canadian Currency Poster" which is in the shape of Canada. Students and teacher will discuss and compare the dollar values of both countries.
3. So that students will remember that not all currencies look the same and have the same value, students will individually create their own currency. They will design the dollar themselves and use their picture, either a Polaroid or extra school picture, as the center. Their "currency" will gain value each day through stamps added to their dollars as rewards for good behavior and completion of homework. They can "spend" their dollars at the classroom treasure box according to their earned value, or number of stamps.

Assessment: Students will be evaluated through the following:

1. Information brought for the poster from the Internet
2. Participation in the currency comparison discussion
3. Completion of the create-your-own-currency project.

Useful Internet Resource:
* Currency Museum of the Bank of Canada
http://collections.ic.gc.ca/bank/english/