The first time the United States issued paper money, as we know it, was on March 10, 1862. The paper money was released in denominations of $5, $10, and $20. They became legal tender by Act of March 17, 1862.
The Federal government took over printing money in 1877.
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White paper
Markers or crayons
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Scissors
Measure out several sheets of paper to resemble real dollars (8 x 2 ½ inches). Talk about the pictures on the bills (buildings, words, and faces). Have children draw their own money.
Funny Money
You can make copies of the money the kids make and use it around the house.
I have used this to make my chore chart work. For example, when they do a chore like make the bed they get a dollar in a $1.00 denomination. When they forget, a dollar is taken away.
We use these kid bucks as pay for folding and putting away laundry, taking out garbage, setting the table etc.
The kids know what each chore is worth. Then, there is a list of make-up chores at the bottom of the job chart. These are pursuits like cleaning the bathroom sink, washing a window, dusting, and other jobs. At the end of the month, the kids can take their homemade money and cash it in or save it for the following month for a more costly item.
WARNING: Your kids will quickly learn the power of a dollar this way. You might be saving for an Xbox 360 if you allow your child to save for one. As my kids got older (around 5), they had to put ¼ of their bucks in a bank account to go towards college. They just picked up more extra chores to make up the difference.
Concoction: Coin BreadI usually start this the day before we are going to eat it, so it takes a bit of planning. I also usually make 4 or 6 at a time (minus the coins). I leave the frozen bread dough in the refrigerator for the day to thaw.
After dinner, I roll out the bread dough and make it as shown here, so we have it ready for breakfast.
The others I make up to the point where it gets rolled up then I wrap it in plastic and put it back into the freezer until I want it. Some I add shredded cheese to it to make for dinner. Either way, you have to let it sit out and rise for at least 12 to 16 hours.
Picture 1: Ingredients
One loaf of frozen bread dough
½ cup sugar
1/4 cup cinnamon
Butter or margarine
½-cup confectionary sugar
3 tablespoons of milk
Optional - raisins, cranberries, or nuts
Six or eight one-dollar coins (get these from the bank)
First, soak the coins in a solution of 1 tsp bleach in a bowl of warm soapy water. Rinse them well, and allow them to dry on paper towel.
Picture 2: Roll out dough
Take the bread dough and allow it to thaw in the package it came in. I allow it to sit out in the refrigerator for the day. When it is thawed, we roll it out on a floured surface.
Picture 3: Sprinkle generously
Next, I allow the kids to spread the dough with a layer of soft butter or margarine. Then they can top it with cinnamon and sugar.
Picture 4: Roll it up
Add raisins cranberries or any dried fruit or nut here. Then place the coins in the sugar mixture and roll the dough up into a tube.
Picture 5: Circle shape
Curve the dough into a circle and place it on a greased cookie sheet allow it to rise overnight in the oven.
Picture 6: Yummy!
In the morning, bake the bread according to package directions. I take a bowl and add a mixture of ½-cup confectionary sugar and a bit of milk and make a glaze over the top. Then I sprinkle it with more cinnamon and sugar.
Picture 7: Big bun
I also have made it into a giant cinnamon swirl and baked it in a 9x9 pan
Picture 8: Money
The youngest gets to decide which piece he wants first and then we cut slices off there. It is your lucky day if you get the piece with a coin.
Both the Greeks and the Russians loved to add coins when baking for good luck. Will it be your lucky day?
Some of the information came from www.frbsf.orghttp://inventors.about.com