Surprise, It's Money!

Discover some of the unusual objects that were once used as money in this short onsite program.

Touch, examine and learn about a variety of currencies from Canada and the world, such as beaver pelts, tea, trade silver, shells, and more. Using the inquiry method, students will learn the principles of currency and why we use bank notes today.

Grades

Grades 3 to 8; Elementary Cycle Two to Secondary II

Big idea

Currencies have changed over time to respond to people’s concerns about security and reliability.

Learning objectives

Participants will:

1. Discuss what makes an object a currency and what makes it valuable.
2. Identify the security features of a Canadian bank note.

Curriculum links

Ontario

• Grade 4 Social Studies
  • Heritage and identity: Early societies to 1500 CE
• Grade 5 Social Studies
  • Heritage and identity: Interactions of Indigenous Peoples and Europeans prior to 1713, in what would eventually become Canada
  • Monetary Policy
• Grade 6 Social Studies
  • Heritage and Identity: Communities in Canada, Past and Present
• Grade 7 History
  • New France and British North America, 1713–1800
• Grade 8 History
  • Canada, 1890–1914: A Changing Society

Quebec

• Elementary Cycle One – History and citizenship education
  • Here and elsewhere: everyday objects and economic activity
• Elementary Cycle Two – History and citizenship education
  • Traces left by societies before: money in Iroquoian, New France and Canadian society
• Elementary Cycle Three – History and citizenship education
  • Interpret change in a society and its territory: the shift of materials used as money internationally and in Canada
• Secondary I & II – History and citizenship education
  • Examines social phenomena: European expansion in the world
  • Interpret social phenomena using the historical method

Duration

20 minutes. We recommend booking a 30- to 45-minute Museum tour as well, to complete your visit.

Availability

This onsite program is offered on days the Museum is open. The last booking is at 15:00.

Cost

All school programs are offered free of charge.

Class size

Maximum 50 students per program

Book your visit

or call 613‑782‑8914 to book a visit. Please include the following information in your request:

• date and time of arrival
• number of students and teachers
• program or tour of your choice
• preferred official language
• any accessibility or special needs

We will confirm your booking within five to seven business days.

Before your visit

Try out the following activities:

• Explore some of the examples in advance with our artifact poster.
• Use our money FAQ to help answer some of your money-related questions.