Money Matters: Quick Tips for Learning Coins

Satisfies SOL Objectives: K.7, 1.7a, 1.7b

Well, it is that time of the year where we start teaching money, so we wanted to share some of the activities that we do to teach money. We know this is a difficult concept for many children, so we hope these ideas will help them.

Calendar Time:

I use coins every day, starting with the first day of school. Students put up a coin every day on a velcro chart. They start with a penny and add a penny every day and then on day 5, I show the kiddos that we can change 5 pennies into a nickel. We change 2 nickels into a dime on day 10, etc. I have my calendar helper count the amount of money on our chart and guess how much there is. My kiddos love it when we put up a $1 for 100 days!

Group Time:

I have found that teaching math in small groups is very successful. I give my students a board, marker, coin chart that is included in our pack or you can use a hundreds chart, and a bag of coins.

Let me tell you a good time saver is to have the items I mentioned all in a gallon size freezer bag. That way you can give each student a bag with everything they need.

I show them how they can use their coin charts to help them count their money.

I will ask the students to place coins on their boards and write a line under each coin. I walk them through how to count and write the amount as they go.

Check out this fun FREEBIE in our store through the weekend that teaches kids about saving.

Brittany and I have created a 70 page money unit that has fun games and activities with a daily lesson plan that lasts 4 weeks if the plan is followed. Just click on the picture below to purchase:

We use our coin books that are included in the unit in a math center with coins for the kiddos to match the pages. This is a great center for the students and easy to set up.