The Value of Money

Hello Students,
I found a great poem by Shel Silverstein entitled "Smart". I would like everyone to read the poem and come to class prepared to discuss it. After reading the poem try to answer the following questions:

Did the boy in the poem know money values?
What was wrong with his logic?
Did the boy in the poem get a good deal?
How much money did he lose?

I think you will find this poem provides a great lesson about the importance of knowing the value of money. Enjoy!
Mrs. Mulone

Smart
My dad gave me one dollar bill
'Cause I'm his smartest son,
And I swapped it for two shiny
quarters
'Cause two is more than one!

And then I took the quarters
And traded them to Lou
For three dimes -- I guess he don't know
That three is more than two!

Just then, along came old blind Bates
And just 'cause he can't see
He gave me four nickels for my three dimes,
And four is more than three!

And I took the nickels to Hiram Coombs
Down at the seed-feed store,
And the fool gave me five pennies for them,
And five is more than four!

And then I went and showed my dad,
And he got red in the cheeks
And closed his eyes and shook his head--
Too proud of me to speak!
- Shel Silverstein