Activity 1: A land without money
This activity develops the idea that Australia did not always have a monetary system of banknotes and coins and introduces the idea of barter as a means of exchanging goods and services.
Ask students to imagine what it would be like to live in Australia if money did not exist.
Talk with students about how people could ‘pay’ for things if there was no money
Consider:
- swapping items
- swapping services
- writing promise notes or IOUs.
Organise students to play a game of Swap it
One student selects an item in the classroom and asks: ‘Who would like to swap?’ Another student offers something from the classroom that they would like to swap.
After each ‘swap’, discuss whether it was a fair swap and why or why not.
Complete a plus, minus and interesting exercise
Ask students to brainstorm the following questions:
- What would be the good things about a country where money did not exist?
- What would be the bad things about a country where money did not exist?
- What would be the interesting things about a country where money did not exist?
Record the responses and discuss.