-NiE ,
5 JULY 2017
Elementary Financially savvy Note to the teacher
century learning skills
OUR children are riding the great wave of technology today. They now have facts and procedures at their fingertips. Teachers have to equip their students with new skills that allow them to thrive in today’s global economy. The activities in The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education pullout combine literacy skills with content to build this set of skills. The key below indicates the skills integrated into the activities in this pullout.
One for you and me CAN you imagine a world without money? How would we go about buying things? Well, thousands of years ago, this was what happened; there was no monetary system like today and people used the barter system to get what they wanted. The barter system was all about trading one thing for another as long as both sides were agreeable to the exchange. For example, let’s say that your friend has a watch that you have been eyeing for some time; your friend, on the other hand, likes the skateboard you got for your birthday. So what both of you can do is a mutual swap and voila, you get what you want without using any money. Isn’t that simply amazing?
NiE Activity 1
main action in a barter system is to switch one thing for another. In the introduction above, there are A The three words that give this meaning. With a friend, pick out these words.
Critical thinking
Creative thinking
● Identify ● Reason
● Imagine ● Connect
Problem solving ● Recreate
Communicating
B
● Oral ● Written
Send a postcard to your pen pal, explaining in your own words what you have learnt about the barter system. Also, look in The Star for pictures of two people, as well as two items they can exchange with each other. Cut them out and paste them on the postcard, to show a barter between the two people. Remember to cut out a picture to use as a stamp on your postcard. You may work on this activity with a friend.
EXAMPLE
Critical thinking
Paste picture of stamp here
● Identify ● Reason ● Measure ● Organise
Hi Tom, How are you? We learnt something really interesting in school today. We’re so excited to share it with you.
Example of a barter system (in pictures)
Creative thinking
Our teacher told us about the barter system used in the olden days. Have you heard of it? It is __________________________________________________________________.
● Imagine
For example, ________________________________________________________.
● Brainstorm
Isn’t it amazing?
● Connect
Hope to hear from you soon.
● Invent
Warmest regards, Peter and Arul
Problem solving ● Question ● Research ● Recreate
Answers: A. trading, exchange, swap
2
NiE Activity 2
● Present
Communicating ● Oral ● Non-verbal ● Written ● Aural
Collaborating ● Listen ● Contribute respectfully
Critical thinking
Creative thinking
● Identify ● Reason ● Organise
● Imagine ● Connect
Communicating
Collaborating
● Oral ● Non-verbal ● Aural
● Listen ● Contribute respectfully ● Attain goal
B
Were you successful in getting the “things” that you like? What were some problems that you and your friends encountered? In your group, list out the advantages and disadvantages of the barter system. Then, as a class, discuss if the barter system is suitable to be used in this day and age. Why or why not?
Advantage
A
Disadvantage
Now that you have learnt about the barter system, are you ready to do some bartering with your classmates? Form groups of four. Individually, scan The Star for pictures of three items (these could be anything from handbags to grocery items!). Cut them out. Imagine you were the owner of these items. Show them to your group members. The aim of this activity is for every group member to barter with each other. You have 20 minutes to do this activity. Once the time is up, all of you should have three new “things” you have obtained by bartering with each other. Have fun!
● Compromise ● Attain goal nie editorial manager: SHARON OVINIS senior nie executive: ROWENA CHUA writer: JAY MENON layout designer: SHOBA illustrator: HASSAN BAHRI To order The Star for NiE lessons, call: Sundarrajan 03-7967 1388 ext 1437 or 016-288 3682 We welcome feedback; write to: Star-NiE, Star Media Group, 15 Jalan 16/11, 46350 Petaling Jaya or e-mail us at: starnie@thestar.com.my