Fiat Money vs. Commodity Money Reader's Theater Script | ECON 101.5 Series

This readers’ theater script, Fiat Money vs. Commodity Money, spans 12 scenes in a modern high school classroom. Students debate fiat’s trust—like dollars—versus gold’s tangibility with Mr. Carter and Ms. Lopez, joined by Mia, Jay, Sara, and Liam. Historical economists—Adam Smith (1770s), Murray Rothbard (1990s), Milton Friedman (1970s), and Ludwig von Mises (1940s)—drop in, tracing money from barter to gold, then fiat post-1971, with $22 trillion fueling growth but risking inflation. From Roosevelt’s 1933 gold grab to Zimbabwe’s 2008 flop, it explores why fiat rules yet falters. With 10 speaking roles, it’s built for grades 9-12, offering flexible casting.

The worksheet deepens analysis with varied questions:

• Short-Answer Questions (5): Test basics like “Why does Mia doubt fiat?” with quotes on prices versus trust.
• Long-Format Questions (5): Link concepts to life, like “How might Mises affect phone savings?” tying history to now.
• Economic Concept Questions (5): Add research depth, like “Find U.S. money supply 1971-2022” to probe fiat’s cost, with data hints.
• Themes and Discussion Questions (4): Spark talks on trust versus tangibility, like “What’s a trust choice in your life?” connecting to teens.
• Application Focus: Students cite evidence (e.g., Rothbard on scams), link to today (e.g., $8 burgers), and weigh policies, building reasoning.

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What's included?

(a single PDF with links to Google Docs/Slides, if print format is preferred you can download from your Google Drive to word/pdf/ppt/etc)

1) Teacher's Guide & Answer Key

• Standards Alignment (CCSS Grades 9~12, CCRA)
• Teacher Tips
• Answer Keys for all worksheet sections
• Themes & Discussion Question Prompts
• Format: Google Doc (6 pages)

2) Readers Theater Script

• ~10 Characters, 3300 words,
• Format: Google Doc (9 pages)

3) Script Worksheet

• 10 Vocabulary Words
• 10 Short-Answer Questions
• 5 Economic Concept Research & Extension Questions
• Format: Google Slides (22 Slides)

Teaching Tips for Using the Script:

• For More Students: Main character can be read by multiple students.
• For Less Students: Minor characters can be read by just one student.
• This script should take about 50 minutes
• Depending on your classroom's level it may be suitable for other grade levels.

Script Summary:

• Scene 1: Mr. Carter traces money from barter to fiat, but Mia doubts paper dollars, setting up the clash.
• Scene 2: Ms. Lopez details gold’s reign, Roosevelt’s 1933 gold grab, and Nixon’s 1971 cutoff, with Liam asking why fiat rose.
• Scene 3: Jay cheers fiat’s loans, Sara warns of inflation, debating 1971’s shift.
• Scene 4: Adam Smith backs gold’s stability, facing Jay’s fiat push.
• Scene 5: Mia ties fiat’s “printing” to $8 burgers, hinting at Rothbard’s critique.
• Scene 6: Murray Rothbard slams fiat’s scams, clashing with Liam’s trust, citing Zimbabwe.
• Scene 7: Sara flags fiat’s trust flops, Jay defends its stretch, testing limits.
• Scene 8: Milton Friedman ties fiat to controlled growth, with Liam probing overprinting.
• Scene 9: Ms. Lopez shows fiat’s asset boost, Mia feels wage pain, linking to today.
• Scene 10: Ludwig von Mises champions gold’s truth, leaving Sara weighing steadiness.
• Scene 11: Students vote fiat versus gold, balancing jobs and prices in their lives.
• Scene 12: Teachers tie fiat to rents and crypto, urging Liam to see money’s stakes.

Will this meet your classroom's needs?

Try this FREE Globalization & Tariffs script from the ECON 101.5 series first :)