Teach children about money and encourage good behavior at the same time by opening a class store. Visit a dollar store to stock up on toys, stickers and candy. Make and laminate pretend money. Explain that whenever you spot someone making good choices or being kind and helpful, you will pay her some pretend money; decide how much based on each situation. Each child can put the money in an envelope with her name on it. Take out the prizes at the end of each week and assign a price to each one. Children can either spend their money each week or save up for the one toy they really want later.
Team up with another class to open a lemonade stand. Buy a few containers of lemonade mix and paper cups, then tell students how much the supplies cost. Help students come up with a per cup price that will result in a bit of a profit. Have children create signs and help you mix the lemonade, then invite another class to come and buy lemonade using fake coins. When they are done selling, help children count up all the pretend money they made, then compare it to what you spent on ingredients to see if the stand was profitable.
Help children learn to tell coins apart by having them play games with coins. Bring in a container filled with change. Give each child a handful of coins and ask him to sort them. Have children first separate each type of coin, then have them arrange coins by color or value. You can also play heads or tails games. Have children count 20 coins, then put them in a container. Ask children to guess how many will turn up heads and how will be many tails. Dump out the coins and have children count them.
Teach children about the value of saving money by making piggy banks. Collect a large, clear plastic bottle for each child. Clean the bottles and peel off the labels. Have each child turn his bank into an animal. Explain that the bottle will be on its side, making the bottle cap the animal's nose. Have children tape on construction paper eyes and ears. Use hot glue to attach feet made from pieces of foam or empty thread spools. Cut a slot large enough to fit coins in the top of each bank.