Dirty Money

I am working on a money unit for grades 3-4. I want to include an activity to show the students just how dirty money can get from circulation but can't find any activities on the Internet. Anyone have any ideas?

 

There's a kit that uses special powder and a blacklight to simulate the spreading of germs. I saw it in a catalog when I was making out my school orders but can't remember which one.

 

You can use vinegar to clean pennies

 

Try searching Google using this search term: "currency circulation germ".

 

I used to love doing that as a kid. You set a penny on a plate and pour a bit of vinegar on it. Then you sprinkle salt on it. It shines before your eyes.

Could you cut a piece of paper (several pieces?) in the shape of a bill and ask each class in your school to pass the paper amongst each student? Maybe have a note on it that you want it back by such and such a date. That way some could be carried in pockets or something. I don't know if it will work but I bet the paper will be at least a little torn up from people fighting over whose turn it is to hold it. I would deliberately hand it to kids to pass around at lunch or right after recess to encourage grossness. Let us know if you try it.

Another thought. Have each student take the paper and see how many people they can get to touch it. Each person that touches their paper needs to initial it. Then you could explain how many people touch money before it gets into our hands and discuss how they don't usually wash their hands before spending or receiving it.

 

As to penny-cleaning, better living through chemistry... for an explanation, see http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/transitionMetals2/. (There are also some very amusing posts at http://www.finishing.com/faqs/pennies.html, including one about soy sauce (soy sauce??) as a detarnisher.)

 

Can I assume you've already contacted the US treasury and the US mint? I bet this isn't the first inquiry they've had.

 

Thanks

Thanks for the good ideas!

 

i dont know if this helps...but there is a website where u can enter the serial number of dollar bills and see where they have travelled.

http://www.wheresgeorge.com/

 

Worth Checking out

Very cool if others are using this to record where the bill is. All of the bills I entered were not entered yet. I guess when I spend them, the person that gets my bills would have to enter them to get them to work. It would be neat to track it. I plan to check some of my other bills when I have a chance. Thanks.

 

eeeew... this is a really cool/interesting thing to explore in your money unit! most teachers just do the standard economic aspects. Good for you!

 

if u write the website on the bill then people are more likely to go to the website.