I only found one set of international currency available for purchase on the Internet, but I have to think that there are more out there.  The one I found is from Great Britain, which wouldn’t be my first choice, but might be an interesting way to start a collection.

You might create activities that have children compare and contrast American money with British money.  Introduce the symbols ($, ¢, £) and have them search for them on the bills.  Explore the people whose faces appear on the bills and discuss the difference between a President and a Queen.  Have children trade the money and then sort it and categorize it.  The ideas are endless.

It might be fun to get creative on the computer and create your own classroom money complete with children’s pictures in the middle and a picture of your classroom on the other side. I would definitely laminate the bills as they will not last the morning if you don’t.  Imagine how children will take an interest in this new currency if they see themselves on it?  Since the egocentric child is more engaged in activities that involve them personally they may be more apt to play with and spend their own money in your classroom.

You could also create a paper template and have the children color and decorate it.  Take their pictures and insert them into the center.  Make color copies, print, cut, and laminate.

This website allows children to design their own money and then print it off.  It doesn’t allow for a lot of creativity but it might be another interesting addition to your month’s activities.