Money Talks
Here are 4 sites that I find helpful when teaching about money. Some make great hooks for lessons while others teach students how to be money smart. Enjoy!
1) Design Your Own BillGrades: K-2
Summary: A great hook for the money unit! Have you students design their own currency with a few clicks of the mouse. You can change the avatar on the bill to match the student's own face or just make silly designs. The possibilities are endless.
How to use it: Shared and Independent - why not have your students create their own and share it with the class. A great intro to why money looks the way it does.
Grades: 1-2
Summary: It's always fun to count money - so rather than spend endless photocopies of different coin combination, why not do it online? Here's a quick game you can use on the Smartboard.
How to use it: Modeled/Shared
It's not long enough to hold the attention of the students in a lab setting but definitely a good lesson starter.
Grades: 5-8
Summary: Teaching students to be financially responsible is a hard task - that's why it's probably best to play simulation game. In this game you get to choose a job and earn wages, pay taxes and work towards a saving goal. It's brought to you by Wells Fargo and the language is quite difficult at times but it still has a good point. Students will learn where money really goes and how to create a reasonable budget.
How to use it: Independent
Be careful about the site as the language is quite advance and the concepts may be a bit too hard.
Grades: 1-3
Summary: A game where students have get as much coin combination as they can before the time runs out.
How to use it: Shared and Independent - Great for the SmartBoard! I like to use it as a mini diagnostic and also a check for understanding.
