We have been talking a lot about money in Grade 2/3. By the end of Grade 2, students need to be able to estimate, count, and represent (using the ¢ symbol) the value of a collection of coins with a maximum value of one dollar. By the end of Grade 3 these skills are extended to a maximum value of $10.00. *Note: All Grade 2 students in this class have extended their learning beyond $1.00.
After reviewing the names and values of each of the coins, we played several games to practice making/counting money amounts using 'play money'. The students quickly realized how important counting by 10s, 5s and 1s is when counting dimes, nickels and pennies! (Even though the penny has been discontinued in Canada, we still talked about it and counted it into some values). We have raced to one dollar, played 'Money Scoot', compared money amounts in 'Who has More' or 'Do I have Enough' and we have made money amounts different ways by using different coins/bills using the ipads.
Learning about money also involves a lot of discussion about needs, wants, saving, spending, earning, lending, borrowing and even budgeting. We have had some fantastic group conversation about money with this 'new vocabulary' in mind.
Continue to work with your child to talk about money. Practise counting sets of coins/bills. Talk about how you spend/save/earn your money. Next, we will practice adding money amounts together as we pretend to 'shop' for different items and solve real world money problems involving money.
