Contextualization

Central Theme: Context and Money

Introduction

In this project, we will explore the world of money, a human invention that plays a vital role in our society. In the first part, we will introduce the concept of money: the different forms it can take, from coins and banknotes to digital money, and how it is used to facilitate transactions and serve as a store of value. We will also understand how currencies are issued and regulated by monetary authorities, such as central banks.

Next, we will explore the concept of currency conversion. In a globalized economy, it is common to carry out international transactions, whether buying a foreign product online or planning a trip to another country. In these situations, it is essential to know how to convert values between different currencies to understand how much we are actually paying or spending.

Finally, we will address basic financial skills, such as budgeting, planning expenses, and dealing with practical money matters, such as calculating change.

Contextualization

Mathematics is an important tool for understanding the world around us, and this includes the realm of money. Knowing how to handle money is essential knowledge for everyday life and is also an important component of financial education. We not only buy and sell goods and services, but we also need to plan our expenses and savings, and for all of this, we need an understanding of mathematics.

Furthermore, money is also an interdisciplinary theme. It involves not only mathematics but also history (how money has evolved over time), geography (each country has its own currency), and social sciences (how money affects the distribution of wealth in society).

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "World Currency"

Project Objective

To understand the conversion of currencies from different countries and apply them in real-world simulations. Improve financial skills, such as calculating change and planning expenses.

Detailed Project Description

Each group of students (3 to 5 participants) will be responsible for investigating the currency of a country assigned by the teacher. They must gather information about the currency (name, exchange value, history) and perform currency conversions based on a list of products or services provided by the teacher. In addition, students must create a "budget travel," planning a fictional trip to the assigned country with a fixed budget.

Required Materials

1. Internet access for research.
2. Calculator.
3. Paper and pencil to write down information and results.

Step by Step

1. Research the currency of the assigned country, write down the name, visual characteristics (banknotes and coins), and the exchange rate in relation to the Brazilian Real.

2. Use the list of products or services provided by the teacher (for example, a bottle of water, a movie ticket, a meal at a restaurant) and convert the value of each item into Reais to the currency of the researched country.

3. Now, simulate a "budget travel." Imagine you are planning a 5-day trip to this country with a fixed budget. How would you spend the money? Include expenses for transportation, accommodation, food, tourist attractions, and souvenirs. Remember to convert each cost to the currency of the country and make sure not to exceed the budget.

4. Finally, present the gathered information and the travel plan to the class.

Project Delivery

The project must be delivered in two formats: presentation and written report.

Presentation

Students must organize a presentation, which can be in the form of slides or posters, to show the information they collected and the travel plan.

Written Report

The written report should follow the structure below:

1. Introduction: Describe the project's objective, the importance of learning about currencies and conversion, and how these skills can be applied in everyday life. It should also contain a brief description of the country and its currency.

2. Development: Describe the activities carried out:

   • How did you research the currency?
   • What were the values converted in the list of products and services?
   • How did you plan the budget travel?

3. Results: Present the conversion data obtained and the budget of the planned trip. Reflective discussion: Was it easy or difficult to stay within the budget? Why?

4. Conclusion: Conclude the report highlighting what was learned from the experience, the importance of financial mathematics in everyday life, and how teamwork played a role in the project.

5. Bibliography: Cite the sources of information used.

Remember that the writing of the report is as important as the research itself.