Learning About Money – Canadian Style!
Banking, Taxes, Online Money, Saving, and Global Value
Start Learning!
What is Canadian Money?
Canadian Coins
Canada uses several different coins for everyday purchases. The nickel is worth 5 cents, the dime is 10 cents, and the quarter is 25 cents. But Canada has something really special – coins worth a whole dollar or even two dollars!
The loonie is a golden-colored coin worth $1, and it has a beautiful loon bird on it. The toonie is worth $2 and has a silver ring around a golden center. These coins are unique to Canada and make counting money fun!
Canadian Bills
Canadian bills come in five different values: $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. They're made of a special plastic polymer that makes them waterproof and super durable – try that with paper!
Each bill features important Canadians. The $10 bill shows Viola Desmond, a brave civil rights activist who fought against discrimination. Money can buy things, help you save, and even let you invest in your future – but remember, you absolutely cannot print your own!
Fun Fact: Viola Desmond was the first Canadian woman to appear on a regularly circulating Canadian bank note!
Watch and Learn: Canadian Money Explained – This video shows all the Canadian coins and bills up close!
What Money Can and Can't Do
Money CAN Do
  • Buy snacks and treats you enjoy
  • Save for that awesome video game
  • Give thoughtful gifts to people you care about
  • Help you reach your goals
Money CAN'T Do
  • Be printed by you at home (that's illegal!)
  • Buy absolutely everything in life
  • Replace kindness and friendship
  • Make you happy all by itself
Understanding what money can and cannot do is an important life skill. While money is a useful tool that helps us get things we need and want, it's not magical. The best things in life – like friendship, learning, and family – can't be bought with any amount of money!

Activity Time! Look at different items around your classroom or home. Can you guess how much each one costs? Try grouping them by price: under $5, between $5-$20, and over $20. This helps you understand the value of money!
How Banks Work
Banks are special buildings where people keep their money safe. Instead of hiding cash under your mattress, you can put it in a bank where it's protected and can even grow! Banks are like super-secure piggy banks that also help you manage your money in smart ways.
1
Keeping Money Safe
Banks store your money securely with high-tech security systems, cameras, and vaults. Your money is much safer there than keeping it at home!
2
Lending to Others
Banks lend money to people who want to buy houses, start businesses, or go to school. When they pay it back, they pay a little extra called interest.
3
Types of Accounts
Chequing accounts are for everyday spending – buying things and paying bills. Savings accounts are for money you want to keep for later goals.
4
Earning Interest
When you keep money in a savings account, the bank pays you a small amount extra called interest. It's like getting a reward for saving!
Learn More: An Introduction to Canadian Banking System – This video explains how Canadian banks work and why they're important!
Taxes – Why We Pay Them
What Are Taxes?
Taxes are money that we pay to the government when we buy things or earn money. When you buy something in a store, you pay a little extra called HST (Harmonized Sales Tax). Adults who work also pay income tax from their paychecks.
It might seem like taxes make things more expensive, but they serve a really important purpose for everyone in our community!
Schools
Taxes pay for your school, teachers, books, computers, and sports equipment. Everything you use to learn comes from tax money!
Hospitals
When you or your family needs a doctor or medical care, taxes help pay for hospitals and healthcare services.
Roads & Bridges
The roads your family drives on, the bridges you cross, and the sidewalks you walk on are all built and maintained with tax money.
Parks & Recreation
Playgrounds, community centers, libraries, and public parks are all funded by taxes so everyone can enjoy them!

Try This Activity: If a candy bar costs $10, and the tax rate is 13%, how much tax would you pay? That's $1.30! So the total cost would be $11.30. Practice calculating tax on different items to see how it works!
Online Banking – Your Money at Your Fingertips
Online banking lets you manage your money using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Instead of going to a physical bank building, you can check your money and do banking tasks from anywhere, anytime! It's safe, convenient, and helps you stay in control of your finances.
What You Can Do with Online Banking
01
Check Your Balance
See exactly how much money you have in your account at any time
02
Transfer Money
Move money between accounts or send it to family and friends
03
Pay Bills
Pay for things like phone bills or allowance you owe someone
04
Track Spending
Watch where your money goes and see what you're spending on
05
Deposit Checks
Take a photo of a check to deposit it without going to the bank
06
Set Up Alerts
Get notifications when money goes in or out of your account
Stay Safe Online
  • Never share your passwords or PINs with anyone
  • Use strong passwords with letters, numbers, and symbols
  • Always log out when you're finished banking
  • Be extra careful when using public Wi-Fi
  • Tell an adult if you see something suspicious
Online banking gives you powerful tools to manage money, but remember – with great power comes great responsibility! Following safety rules keeps your money protected and secure.
Save Your Money – Start Early!
Why Saving is Important
Saving money is one of the smartest habits you can develop! When you save, you're preparing for the future and giving yourself options. Maybe you want to buy something special, or maybe you want to be ready for unexpected expenses. Either way, saving helps you reach your goals.
The best part? When you start saving early, your money has more time to grow. It's like planting a seed that becomes a money tree over time!
How Much Should You Save?
20%
Recommended Savings
Try to save at least 20% of your allowance, pay from chores, or gift money
80%
For Spending
You still have 80% left for the things you need and want right now
Example: If you receive $50, save $10 and use $40 for other things. It might not seem like much at first, but watch how it adds up! Even saving small amounts consistently can help you reach big goals.
Set Clear Goals
Decide what you're saving for: "I want to save $100 for a new game" or "I want $50 for my friend's birthday gift"
Track Your Progress
Write down how much you save each week and watch your total grow. Celebrate when you hit milestones!
Use a Savings Account
Keep your savings in a bank account where it earns interest and grows even faster

Activity Challenge: If you saved $10 every week for a whole year, how much would you have? That's $520! What would you spend it on? A new bike? A family trip? Games? Write down your savings goal and start working toward it!
Watch This: Financial literacy in a changing world | Judy Goldring – Learn why saving early is one of the most important money skills!
Canadian Money Around the World
Did you know that Canadian money has different values in different countries? When you travel outside Canada or buy something from another country online, you need to exchange your Canadian dollars for that country's money. This is called foreign exchange!
Understanding Exchange Rates
Exchange rates tell us how much one country's money is worth compared to another's. For example, $10 Canadian dollars might equal $7.50 US dollars one day, but $7.25 the next day. These rates change all the time based on how strong each country's economy is!
Strong Canadian Dollar
When the Canadian dollar is strong, your money can buy more things in other countries. $10 CAD might get you more pounds in the UK or more euros in France!
Weak Canadian Dollar
When the Canadian dollar is weak, you get less foreign money for each Canadian dollar. This means things cost more when traveling or buying from other countries.
Exchange rates matter when families travel on vacation, when businesses buy products from other countries, or when you order something online from overseas. Understanding how money works globally helps you become a smart international citizen!
Learn More: Why is the Canadian Dollar So Weak? – This video explains what makes currencies stronger or weaker.

Activity Time! Research how much $10 Canadian is worth in different countries. Try the US, UK, Japan, and Mexico. What could you buy with that amount in each country? Would it buy more or less than in Canada?
Fun Facts About Money
Canadian money has a fascinating history full of interesting stories and cool changes over the years. Let's explore some amazing facts that make our money special!
Silver Coins
A long time ago, Canadian coins were actually made from real silver! These old coins are now valuable collectibles that people treasure.
Goodbye, Penny!
Canada stopped making pennies in 2013 because they cost more to make than they were worth! Now we round prices to the nearest 5 cents.
Cool Animal Designs
The loonie has a beautiful loon bird, and the toonie features a majestic polar bear. These animals represent Canada's amazing wildlife!
Canadian polymer bills are so tough they can survive a washing machine cycle! They're also harder to counterfeit than paper money.
Canadian money keeps evolving with new security features, designs, and materials. Each change makes our currency safer and more interesting. The people and animals featured on our money tell stories about Canada's history, values, and natural beauty.
Sing Along: Fun Canadian Money Song for Kids – Learn about coins and bills through music!

Quiz Question: Which animal is on the toonie? If you said polar bear, you're absolutely right! The toonie also has a ring of numbers around the edge showing its year.
Quick Recap
Congratulations! You've learned so much about Canadian money and how to manage it wisely. Let's review the most important points from our journey through the world of finance!
Canadian Currency
We use nickels, dimes, quarters, loonies, toonies, and colorful polymer bills from $5 to $100
Banks Keep Money Safe
Banks protect your money and help it grow through interest in savings accounts
Taxes Help Everyone
The taxes we pay fund schools, hospitals, roads, and parks that benefit our entire community
Online Banking
Manage your money safely and conveniently from anywhere using technology
Save Early & Often
Aim to save at least 20% of your money to reach your goals and build good habits
Global Value
Canadian money has different values around the world based on exchange rates

Reflection Question: What is one thing you learned today that surprised you the most? Share your answer with a classmate or write it down in your notebook!
Understanding money is a lifelong skill that will help you make smart decisions as you grow. Keep learning, keep saving, and keep asking questions about how money works!
Challenge: Design Your Own $10 Bill!
Now it's time to get creative! Canadian money features important people, animals, and symbols that represent our country's values and history. Your challenge is to design your very own $10 bill that celebrates something or someone important to you!
Design Requirements
01
Choose a Canadian Hero
Pick someone who made Canada better – a scientist, athlete, artist, leader, or community helper. Why should they be on money?
02
Add Creative Designs
Include symbols that represent Canada or your chosen hero. Think about animals, landmarks, or special objects!
03
Include Security Features
Real bills have special features to prevent counterfeiting. Add ideas like holograms, transparent windows, or hidden patterns!
04
Choose Colors
Pick colors that match your theme and make your bill unique and beautiful!
Think About:
  • What makes your chosen person special?
  • What symbols represent their achievements?
  • What colors and designs would honor them?
  • How can you make your bill hard to copy?

Presentation Time: When you finish, share your design with the class! Explain who you chose, why they're important, and what your symbols mean. Discuss why real money features specific designs and how those choices reflect Canadian values.
This activity helps you understand that money isn't just for buying things – it's also a way to celebrate history, honor important people, and share national pride. Every design element on real currency has meaning and purpose!
Money Master Quiz – Test Your Knowledge!
Time to see how much you've learned! Take this fun quiz to test your money smarts. You can answer individually, work with a partner, or compete in teams. Ready to become a Money Master?
1
What coin is worth $2?
Answer: Toonie ✅
The toonie is Canada's $2 coin with a silver ring around a golden center, featuring a polar bear!
2
Which type of bank account is best for saving money?
Answer: Savings Account ✅
Savings accounts earn interest and are designed for money you want to keep for future goals.
3
What is the recommended percentage of your pay to save?
Answer: 20% ✅
Saving 20% helps you build strong financial habits while still having 80% for current needs.
4
What do taxes help pay for?
Answer: All of the above ✅
Taxes fund schools, hospitals, roads, parks, and many other community services we all use!
5
True or False: Online banking is only safe if you never share your password
Answer: True ✅
Never share passwords or PINs with anyone – this keeps your money and information secure.
6
Which Canadian coin has a loon on it?
Answer: Loonie ✅
The loonie is named after the loon bird that appears on this golden $1 coin!
7
What does the value of $10 CAD in another country depend on?
Answer: Exchange Rate ✅
Exchange rates change daily and determine how much foreign currency you get for Canadian dollars.

Score Yourself: 7/7 correct = Money Master! 5-6 correct = Money Expert! 3-4 correct = Money Learner! Keep practicing and you'll be a master soon!
Great job taking the quiz! Whether you got them all right or learned from mistakes, you're building important money skills that will help you throughout your life. Keep asking questions and staying curious about finance!
Money Journal – Plan Your Savings
It's time to think about your own money goals! Grab your journal or notebook and spend 5-10 minutes answering these important questions. This activity will help you create a real savings plan that you can start following today!
1
What would you like to save for?
Think about something you really want but don't have money for right now. It could be a toy, game, book, sports equipment, or even saving for a special experience like going to an amusement park.
2
How much money would you need to reach your goal?
Research the cost of what you want. Be specific! If it's $50, write that down. If it's $200, write that instead. Knowing the exact amount helps you make a real plan.
3
How long would it take if you saved 20% of your allowance or pay?
Do some math! If you get $10 per week from chores, 20% is $2. If your goal is $50, you'd need 25 weeks (about 6 months). Calculate your own timeline!
4
What steps could you take to save more or faster?
Think creatively! Could you do extra chores? Sell items you don't use anymore? Have a lemonade stand? Skip buying things you don't really need?
5
How would it feel once you reach your goal?
Imagine the moment when you've saved enough! Visualizing success helps you stay motivated when saving feels hard. Write about the pride and excitement you'll feel!
Share Your Plan
When you finish writing, share your savings goal with a partner or small group. Talking about your plans makes them feel more real and helps you stay committed. You might even inspire others with your ideas!
You can also create a drawing or visual plan. Make a chart to track your progress, or draw pictures of what you're saving for. Put it somewhere you'll see it every day as a reminder!

Parent Note: This activity teaches goal-setting, planning, delayed gratification, and the value of money. Consider helping your child open a real savings account to make their plan official!
Remember, every big goal starts with a small step. By creating this savings plan today, you're building habits that will help you achieve amazing things throughout your life. Start saving, stay focused, and watch your dreams become reality!
You're Now a Money Expert!
Congratulations on completing this money learning journey! You now understand Canadian currency, how banks work, why taxes matter, the power of online banking, the importance of saving, and how money works around the world. These are skills that many adults wish they had learned at your age!
Canadian Currency
Savings Goal
Mastery Achieved
7
Types of Canadian Coins and Bills
From nickels to hundred dollar bills
20%
Recommended Savings Rate
The amount to save from every dollar you earn
100%
Money Master Status
You've learned everything in this course!
Keep Learning and Growing
Financial literacy is a lifelong journey. As you grow older, you'll learn even more about investing, credit cards, mortgages, and building wealth. The foundation you've built today will help you make smart money decisions for the rest of your life.
Keep Saving
Put your 20% rule into practice every time you get money
Keep Learning
Read books, watch videos, and ask questions about money
Keep Setting Goals
Plan for both short-term wants and long-term dreams
Keep Talking
Discuss money with family and learn from their experiences
"The habits you build today will shape your financial future tomorrow. You're already ahead by learning these skills so young!"
Thank you for being such engaged learners! Share what you've learned with your family and friends. Teaching others is one of the best ways to remember what you know. Keep being curious, keep asking questions, and keep building your money smarts!