Day 8

Grade:
3rd grade
Subject:
Social Studies and Math
Lesson Topic:
Currency and Fashion in Italy
Learning Outcomes:
1. Students will identify characteristics of Italian clothing, and recognize what
makes Italian fashion unique.
2. Students will practice the multiplication of decimals when converting currency.
Standards:
CC.2.2.3.A.1 Represent and solve problems involving multiplication and division.
CC.2.2.3.A.3 Demonstrate multiplication and division fluency.
6.2.3.D Define price and how prices vary for products.
CC.8.4.3.B Identify the importance of artifacts and sites to different cultures and
ethnicities.
NCSS THEMES MET: Culture; Time, Continuity, and Change; Power, Authority, and
Governance; Global Connections; Production, Distribution, and Consumption; Civic
Ideals and Practices
Anticipatory Set: As the students enter the classroom have an Italian Market set up and
ready to go. The desks should all be attached in a U-shape and the items should be
scattered around on the desks. Have Italian music playing to help the students get into the
mood ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvkZWhpzmWs ). Explain to the students
how important fashion is to the Italian culture, then give them the freedom to walk
around the market and explore all of the different items that contribute to what makes
Italian fashion unique.
Procedures:
1. Teacher will ask students to take a seat in the front of the classroom in a cluster.
2. Teacher will pull up on the SMART Board a picture of Italy and highlight Milan
on the map.
3. Teacher will explain to students that they will be participating in their very own
Milan fashion show after purchasing clothes at the Italian market.
4. Explain that Milan fashion week (Settimana della moda) happens twice a year.
Once in the fall/winter and once in the spring/summer. It is one of the four big
fashion weeks that also take place in Paris, London, and New York. Some major
designers that are involved are Maria Antonelli, Roberto Cappucci, and Alberto
Fagiani. During fashion week, people trade and display different types of
clothing. It is a tradition that has been taking place since 1958.

5. Teacher will explain currency in Italy by talking about how it is called the Euro,
but before it was referred to as the lira. When the different European countries
came together and became the European nations, most of the countries went to
using the euro to make things easier.
6. Show students examples of real Italian money.
7. Explain the definition of price and how price will vary depending on the culture
and location.
8. Also explain what exchange rate is and what the current exchange rate is.
Exchange rates change on daily basis. (Current rate is 1 Euro = 1.13 American
dollars)
9. Each of the items that were set up around the classroom will have a number on
them (price in Euros).
10. Students will be going around and figuring out the rate at which they as
Americans would pay for the individual item.
11. They will do this by multiplying. Be sure they start with the Euro.
12. Teacher will review how to complete the multiplication of regular numbers as
well as decimals on the board in the front of the classroom.
13. Require that each student figure out the price for at least 10 different items.
14. Have the Italian exchange rate written on the board for all students to reference.
15. After students have completed pricing the items have each student choose one
item and take it back to their seat.
Differentiation:
Students will be working individually to ensure that they are getting the maximum
multiplication practice. They will be relying on themselves to complete the
problems and work through them.
Visual: The way the classroom is set up and the visuals of real Italian fashion
items will help the visual learners get a vivid idea of what the lesson is aiming to
teach.
Closure:
Have the students arrange their desks in two rows creating an isle. Each student will take
the item they chose and walk down the runway. Teacher will have the lights out and have
a flashlight in hand to shine on the students as they walk down the runway. When each
student gets to the end of the runway they will share with the class how much money
their item cost them and something they learned about Italian fashion.
Assessment:
1. Teacher will collect the 10 multiplication problems that the students completed as
they priced the different items. Teacher will check for completion and make
corrections for the students to see what they did wrong.
2. Teacher will listen as students share about their individual item after walking
down the runway.
Materials:
Italian made:
o Dresses

o Sneakers
o Dress shoes
o Shirts
o Sports clothing
o Jewelry
o Purses
o Scarfs
Laminated Euros
Laminated Liras
Flashlight
Research on Milan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milan_Fashion_Week
Italian background music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvkZWhpzmWs

Technology:
The teacher will use the SMART Board to display Italian market background as
well as a CD player to play the music on.