Lesson Plan - Show Me the Money!

Watch the Video
Build background knowledge by watching the video “What You Need to Know About Money.” Ask: How has money changed through history? Do you think it will keep changing in the future? Explain.

Preview Word to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Word to Know.

• currency

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about the reasons behind some of our currency’s special features.

1. What evidence does the author give to support the idea that a dollar bill is strong?
To support the idea that a dollar bill is strong, the author explains that “you could fold it back and forth about 4,000 times before it would rip!” 
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2. What is the special meaning behind the Roman numerals on the back of the $1 bill?
The Roman numerals on the back of the $1 bill represent the year 1776. That’s the year the U.S. declared independence from Great Britain. 
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3. What is a watermark, according to the article? Why do some bills have watermarks?
A watermark is a hidden design that you can see when you hold some bills up to a light. A watermark is meant to make it harder for people to make fake bills and pass them off as the real thing. 
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FEATURED SKILL: Reading an Infographic
Use the skill builder “On the Money” to explore the U.S. leaders featured on the penny, nickel, dime, and quarter. 
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