Common Cents

Kindergarten students enjoy this imaginative hands on unit on money. Over the course of a week they learn about money through teacher instruction, hands-on activities, group games, manipulatives and role-play. The concepts of exchanging money for goods and saving money for future wants will come alive to students as they have the opportunity to spend "toy money" they save during the week in the class "toy store."

Weblink address (URL): 
Common Cents

Standards & Objectives

Essential and guiding questions: 

The unit will address the following questions:

  • What is the basic concept of exchanging money for goods?
  • What are basic similarities and differences in coins?
  • What are the values of a penny, nickel, and dime in relation to each other?
  • What are some ways number stories can be created and acted out using coins?
  • Can patterns be created using coins as concrete objects?

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Understanding

Helpful Hints

This unit would need to be taught towards the end of the school year. Some students may struggle with the concept of money and others may grasp the concept more clearly. Therefore, it could be used as an enrichment tool as well.

References

Contributors: 
Sarah Lasater
Originator: 
Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation