Number Cents

In this unit, students explore the relationship between pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. They count sets of mixed coins, write story problems that involve money, and use coins to make patterns.

The unit consists of six lessons that give children an opportunity to identify individual coins and to make sets of coins with equivalent values. They also pattern with coins and use coins in real world situations. They will also determine the value of sets of pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters and record the value using 2 forms of notation. Actual coins are used in all lessons.

Numerous connections to children's literature are made in this unit. Suggestions for books dealing with money and coins are available.

Math Content

The lessons in this unit build an understanding of the relationship between coins in the United States monetary system and use coins in patterning, and in addition and subtraction situations. Children exchange pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters, model sets of coins which show a given amount, and use addition and counting to solve problems using money.

Individual Lessons

Lesson 1 - Exploring Pennies and Dimes

In this lesson children examine pennies and dimes and model subtraction as they listen to a children’s book. They model amounts to 60 cents with coins. They use coin rubbings of pennies and dimes and make a chart comparing the two coins. At the conclusion of the lesson, they begin a word wall and make an entry in their portfolios.

Lesson 2 - How Many Ways?

Children extend their investigation of the previous day to include nickels. They estimate the value of collections of pennies, nickels and dimes then determine the exact amount by exchanging sets of pennies or nickels for dimes.

Lesson 3 - Trading For Quarters

In this lesson, children listen to a poem about money, and then examine a quarter. They find sets of coins equivalent to a quarter using pennies, nickels and dimes. They also estimate and count coin collections and count by fives and tens using actual and online calculators and pose and answer coin puzzles.

Lesson 4 - Modeling Prizes

Children use pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters to model amounts to 70 cents. Next they answer money puzzles and estimate the number of pennies in a jar. They also add to the word wall.

Lesson 5 - Making Change

To begin this lesson, children model prices mentioned in a children’s book. Then they make change from a given amount by counting on from the price.

Note: Counting on to make change is a very challenging activity. In initial instruction, it is best to restrict the coins used in making change to pennies and dimes.

Lesson 6 - Looking Back and Moving Forward

This final lesson of the unit reviews the work of the previous lessons. Children discuss and model prices and the words on the word wall and play games to facilitate continuing practice. They add to their portfolio and listen to another children’s book. Questions for summative evaluation are suggested.