What did they trade with?

Topics Year 4/5
This unit is part of Benin (900 to 1300CE) Trade and Currency

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Objectives

History

Study a non-European society that provides contrasts with British history – Benin (West Africa) c. 900-1300 CE.
Children should construct informed responses that involve thoughtful selection and organisation of relevant historical information.

Art

Improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials [for example, pencil, charcoal, paint, clay].

Lesson Planning

Learn about the trading currencies of Benin and how it changed over time. Make replicas of some of the trading tokens.

Teaching Outcomes:

To learn about the different currencies used in Benin.
To make replicas of these trading currencies.

Children will:

Explain what currencies were used in West Africa.
Describe what makes a useful currency.
Improve their mastery of an art technique such as modelling, carving or casting.

Planning

Provided Resources

What did they trade with in Benin?
Making some replicas of Benin currencies

You Will Need

Fruit
Books
Lots of pennies and two pence pieces
FiMo™
Melting chocolate
Textiles
Pears soap

Weblinks

Information about money in Africa from britishmuseum.org
Cowry shells as currency in Africa from the National Bank of Belgium from nbbmuseum.be
Information about trade beads from vam.ac.uk
Manillas as currency from web.prm.ox.ac.uk
Textile as currency in Africa from adireafricantextiles.com
Fake lion's tooth made for currency in Africa from objects.prm.ox.ac.uk