Making smart money trades

Updated Aug 11, 2022

Students listen to a story about making money trades and determine whether the values of different groups of coins and paper money are equal or unequal.

Big idea

Different coins and paper money have different values.

Essential questions

Why is it helpful to know that different coins and dollar bills are worth different amounts?
Why is it important to be careful when trading coins and paper money?

Objectives

Understand that different coins and paper money have different values
Recognize whether combinations of money have the same or different value

What students will do

Listen to and discuss the story A Bargain for Frances by Russell Hoban and Lillian Hoban.
Determine whether different groups of money are equal or unequal in value.

Download activity

Teacher guide

cfpb_building_block_activities_making-smart-money-trades_guide.pdf

Student materials

cfpb_building_block_activities_making-smart-money-trades_worksheet.pdf

Note: Please remember to consider your students’ accommodations and special needs to ensure that all students are able to participate in a meaningful way.

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Key information for this activity

Building block

(What are the building blocks?)

Financial habits and norms
Financial knowledge and decision-making skills

Topic

Protect (Managing risk), Spend (Buying things)

School subject

English or language arts, Math

Audience

Grade level: Elementary school (2-3)

Age range: 7-9

Student characteristics: English language learners, Special education, Low income

Activity characteristics

Activity type: Individual, Storytime

Teaching strategy: Personalized instruction

Bloom’s Taxonomy level: Understand, Apply, Analyze

Activity duration: 45-60 minutes

National standards

(What are the national standards? )

Standards: II. Spending, VI. Managing risk

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