Lesson Plan

• Define money and distinguish it from other assets.
• Explain the four functions of money with real‑world examples.
• Identify the key characteristics that make an asset suitable as money.
• Apply the quantity‑theory equation (MV = PY) to illustrate the link between money supply and price level.
• Analyse how changes in money characteristics affect its effectiveness in the economy.

• Projector and screen
• Whiteboard and markers
• Printed handout of the money characteristics table
• Worksheet with MV = PY calculations
• Sticky notes for quick recall activity
• Laptop with presentation slides

Begin with a short video clip showing everyday transactions to spark interest. Ask students what they would use to buy a coffee if cash didn’t exist, linking to prior knowledge of barter. Explain that today they will discover what makes money work and how economists measure its impact.

1. Do‑Now (5'): Students write on sticky notes one item they think could serve as money and why.
2. Direct Instruction (10'): Present the definition of money and the four functions using slides.
3. Group Activity (12'): In pairs, students match each function to a real‑world example and share with the class.
4. Characteristics Exploration (10'): Distribute handouts; students fill in missing characteristics and discuss why each matters.
5. Quantitative Application (8'): Work through a simple MV = PY problem on the worksheet, checking understanding with a quick poll.
6. Check for Understanding (5'): Exit ticket – one sentence describing why durability is essential for money.

Recap the definition, functions, and key characteristics of money, highlighting how they interrelate. Collect exit tickets and use them to gauge mastery before assigning a homework task to research a historical form of money and evaluate it against today’s characteristics.