Free Stuff for Kids
Printable Play Money
There are endless uses for printable play money in your classroom, and you'll definitely want to check out these well-designed, attractive printables to add to your bank of manipulatives.
Federal Reserve Bank
The Free Silver Movement and Inflation
Why are US dollars no longer backed by gold and silver? What is our medium of exchange, and what would it be like to live in a barter economy? Learners consider these questions, as well as learn about the major historical events in the...
Carolina K-12
Barter and Money
You want five pigs, but you only have four bails of hay. How will you manage to get what you want? A great simulation begins this instructional activity with why the use of money has replaced the process of bartering. Then, after...
Americans All
A Simulation: The Peopling of America
What was it like to pass through Ellis Island? Learners move through the immigration process of the early 1900s in a simulation activity. A comprehensive activity includes role-playing profiles and other manipulative items such as...
Council for Economic Education
Paper Money of the Sung, Yuan, and Ming Dynasties
Why did the Chinese develop paper money? They were the first society to use paper currency. Learners consider why paper money was more convenient than other mechanisms of trade using a helpful lesson plan, which includes a graphic...
Curated OER
Money Versus Trade
Students discover the importance of exchanging money in a market. In this economics lesson, students discover natural resources and how one can barter with those resources. In addition, students complete worksheets and discover the...
Curated OER
Presidential Elections: A Simulation
Feeling ambitious about getting your scholars examining the election process? While this presidential election simulation will take preparation, the ensuing enthusiasm will be worth it! Using one or more large classes, 12th graders are...
PBS
What Is Money?
Early learners participate in a bartering activity during which they make connections to money and consumer concepts. They simulate buying and selling situations with one another then visit an exhibit at the Federal Reserve Bank of...
Curated OER
Money Simulation (mini economy)
Students participate in a local, classroom economy in both the resource and products market. They track all transactions and learn economic principles and concepts.
Curated OER
Trading Post Simulation
Students explore the concept of trade. In this trade lesson, students simulate a trade store. Students are divided into two groups. Half the class runs the store, half the class are customers. Students try to trade goods and services in...
Curated OER
Managing Your Money
Students use the internet to gather information on saving money. They describe the history of money and the responsibilities of the United States Mint. They list their own personal goals and keep a journal as they operate a lemonade...
Curated OER
Articles of Confederation Game
Why did the Articles of Confederation fail? Your historians will find out firsthand through this simulation activity, during which they will use money (consider using extra credit) to demonstrate the inherent flaws. It's simple: each...
Curated OER
Take Action Haiti
Using an online internet simulation, learners will role-play various members of a family living in rural Haiti. The objective is to increase global awareness by requiring them to consider poverty as an obstacle to education in Haiti....
Carolina K-12
The Federal Reserve and Monetary Policy
How does the Fed manipulate the money supply in the United States? After reading a comic book on monetary policy and answering guided questions, your class members will participate in an interactive online simulation in which they will...
Curated OER
How Much Is It?
Middle schoolers explore foreign currencies. In this foreign currencies lesson, students simulate travel to another country and determine the value of the US dollar compared to other countries. Middle schoolers use a conversion table and...
Curated OER
The Canada-US Auto Industry Simulation and Economies of Scale
Students examine the U.S./Canadian trade relationship. In this economics lesson, students participate in a simulation that requires them to use economies of scale to trade laterally.
Curated OER
Money Makes the World Go Around
Students convert currency from around the world. In this math lesson, students solve exchange rate problems using Google Earth. They complete a worksheet during the simulation.
Curated OER
A Rooster and a Bean Seed
Students hear a folk tale and participate in a simulation that helps them recognize problems with barter and benefits of monetary exchange.
Curated OER
Budgeting
Students establish budgeting techniques. In this Economics lesson, students work in small groups to prepare a budget for a simulation activity, purchasing new playground equipment.
Curated OER
Managing Your Food Money
Young scholars investigate family budgeting methods. In this family budget lesson, students examine the wages and expenditures of family and participate in a simulation that requires them to employ the envelope budget method.
Curated OER
Simulation and Accounting Practices
High schoolers implement their knowledge about accounting practices into a simulation activity. In this secondary consumer/business math activity, students participate in a simulation centered on the life of the people...
Curated OER
Investing Money
Sixth graders participate in an simulated investment activity. They examine the purpose of different types of investments before they predict which will be the most successful. Finally, they simulate investing $1,000 in stocks, $1,000 in...
Curated OER
Words In The News Latin American Migrant Money
Students explore the life of a migrant worker. They compare the life of those living in the United States with a poorer country such as Mexico or Latin America. After looking up the definitions of vocabulary words, groups of students...
Curated OER
Money Museum Tour
Twelfth graders explore the importance of banks in the United States. In this Economics lesson, 12th graders participate in a simulation of what happens at a bank. Students discuss their findings.