Introduction
One of the most valuable life skills is learning how to manage money, but it is important to start at the beginning. Why we use money in the first place and how to get the best value with our money should be explained. We should also explore our relationship with money.
L1: A world without money
Imagine a world without money – would you be better or worse off? Before money, people traded goods and services. In this lesson students learn about the concept of barter, which is a system for exchanging/trading goods and services without using money.
L2: Barter in action
Would barter encourage people to get along or not? Would people feel that they were treated fairly or not? In this lesson, students get a chance to answer these questions by participating in and evaluating a bartering experience.
L3: Barter versus money
Although money has officially replaced the ‘barter system’ and people now trade money for the majority of the goods and services they need, bartering still happens. For example, there are internet sites where people swap clothes, games, books etc.
Project: Barter
Students organise a class or school-wide ‘barter project’ where students exchange goods or commit to providing a service.
L4: Getting value for money
There are some very good reasons why, over time, people moved towards using money as a way of exchanging/trading goods and services.
L5: Money in my day
Has someone in your home ever said: ‘Get off the phone!’ or ‘Turn the lights off when you leave the room!’ Why do they do this? It is an attempt to reduce money going out.
L6: Making money
Have you ever really looked at the money that you have in your purse/wallet? If asked, could you say anything about the symbols or images that are commonly used on coins and banknotes?
L7: Money attitudes
Our opinions, behaviour and actions are influenced by other people, organisations and messages coming from traditional and digital media sources. Opinions, behaviour and actions in relation to money is no exception.
L8: Money smart
Being smart with your money is something that everyone can learn to do. In this lesson, students will meet ten different characters who all manage their money differently, some well and others who could make some changes in order to manage their money better.
L9: Our attitude to money
People use money on a daily basis but they don’t often take the time to think about their attitude to money, or consider how these attitudes impact on daily decisions and behaviours.
L10: Changing attitudes to money
Everyone has the ability to be smart with their money. It is about taking the time to recognise and balance your spending and saving habits. It’s also about looking for help when you need it. If you don’t do this right now you may need to make changes to your behaviour
Project: Attitudes to money
Students develop and implement a strategy to raise awareness amongst an audience beyond the classroom about attitudes to money.
Student Resources
Here you will find a list of all the Worksheets for Section 1.
