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    Building, illuminated glass towers on either side of an old, square, stone building.

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    We're here to help you understand what the Bank of Canada does and how it matters to you.

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    Sensory Sundays

    For Autism Awareness Month, the Museum will provide a sensory-friendly experience every Sunday.

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    Collage, photo of wild west street, old bank notes, old counterfeiting brochure.

    Security is in the bank note

    Security printing is a game of anticipating and responding to criminal threats. Counterfeiting is a game of anticipating and responding to bank note design. This cat and mouse relationship affects every aspect of a bank note.

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    Needs or wants? That is the question!

    Do you need it, or do you want it? That’s an important question to ask before buying anything. This activity is designed to teach kids how to prioritize their needs and wants, and how to make informed choices when shopping.

    Price check: Inflation in Canada

    All about inflation: what it is, what it means and how it's measured. Students will learn how the consumer price index is calculated and create their own student price index to measure the prices that matter most to them.

Notice of temporary closure
The Museum will be closed on Saturday, April 29 and Sunday, April 30 for maintenance.
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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.

Can’t bring your class to the Museum? Check out our Money: Past, Present and Future lesson plan for a downloadable version of this program for your classroom.

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.

Can’t bring your class to the Museum? Check out our Money: Past, Present and Future lesson plan for a downloadable version of this program for your classroom.

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.
Content type(s): School programs
Subject(s): Financial literacy, History, Social studies
Grade level(s): Grade 03, Grade 04, Grade 05, Grade 06, Grade 07 / Secondary 1, Grade 08 / Secondary 2

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30 Bank Street
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0G9, CANADA
613‑782‑8914

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