American Currency: Coins and Their Values

Grade 2

Pennies, Nickels, Dimes, and Quarters

Objectives:

Obj 1: Students will be able to differentiate between pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters.

Obj 2: Students will be able to describe the physical characteristics of pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters.

Obj 3: Students will be able to add up different combinations of coins to add up to $1.

Instructional Techniques: individual online work,  group work

Instructional Materials: computers or tablets, Coin Handout #1, Coin Handout #2, http://www.abcya.com/learning_coins.htm

Theoretical Perspective: This information is crucial for students to learn in order to be able to apply in their own lives, and for future grades. Students need to know the value of coins to be able to purchase items. Knowledge of coins is also crucial for future math skills. In math problems, money is a very relatable and commonly used example in word problems. If students do not master the understanding of money at this age, they will have issues in the future with money, which is essential to human life.

1. Introductory Activity: The students will be in groups of 4. Within these groups of 4, the students will be asked to brainstorm as a group and think of anything they already know about coins. Whether it be the size of the coins, their values, the presidents on the coins etc. Once each group has come up with a list of their knowledge, we will compile a list together as a class. Once this list is compiled and reviewed, students will be asked to log onto their computers or tablets to http://www.abcya.com/learning_coins.htm .

B. The students will then be handed out Coin Handout #1, which gives specific directions regarding the website. The students will go through Handout #1, which has specific questions to help the students understand the information online, and write down the answers. Once the students have completed Handout 1, they will move onto Handout #2. This handout tests their understanding of information they are learning. Students will use the website as a visual to create different combinations of coins to add up to 1 dollar. They will do this five times, with five different combinations. Once the students have completed this, they will be done and asked to log off their computers, and turn in their two handouts.

C. As a closing activity, I will ask the students if they feel they have a better understanding of coins. I will also ask them what their favorite part of the lesson was, if anything confused them, and if they have any questions regarding coins in general.

D. There are many adaptations that can be made for different students. Students who will benefit from a physical visual, will be given real coins to be able to use as an example in front of them. This will be an option available to any students who want to have a visual aid in front of them. They can look at the real pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters to help. Students who work at a slower pace will be able to take their time. For students who are non-native speakers, I will give them handouts in their native language, and assist them personally to help them understand the material. Students who struggle with reading or phonics will be able to listen to the words the other kids are reading, because the website has auditory options that read aloud all the information.

Evaluation:

1. I will be using Handout #1 and #2 as a form of evaluation. These two handouts, if done correctly, fully evaluate the objectives of the lesson:

Obj 1: Students will be able to differentiate between pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters.

Obj 2: Students will be able to describe the physical characteristics of pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters.

Obj 3: Students will be able to add up different combinations of coins to add up to $1.

Handout #1 guides students to see the differences between the types of coins by asking how much each coin is worth, the color of each coin, and which president is on each coin. This covers objectives one and two. Handout #2 covers objective 3, because the students are actively combining amounts of coins until it adds up to $1.00, and repeating this five times.

For objective 1, students will be graded on whether their answers are correct. All the questions have one correct answer, so if the student writes it down, they will get the point. Also, all questions are specified on the website and available to the students. Handout #1 is out of 20 points.

On Handout number 2, students will be graded on whether or not their combinations add up to one dollar. If their combination adds up to $1.00,  but is within a close range of a dollar, it could have been an error in their math, so they can still receive partial credit, since this is a new skill the students are learning.

Name: __________________                                Date: _____________________________

Coins and Their Values, Handout #1

Please type the following link into your browser: http://www.abcya.com/learning_coins.htm

Once you have gotten to this website, click the Play button to begin.

Click the word “Learn”, to begin.

While you are learning about coins online, please read the following questions, or blank spaces and fill them in appropriately.

1. Pennies

1. How much is a penny worth? ____________
2. Who is the president on the penny? _________________
3. What color is a penny? ____________
4. How would you write out a penny’s value in dollar form? ( ex: $.07)_______
5. How many pennies would you need to make one dollar ($1.00)? ___________

B. Nickels

1. How much is a nickel worth? ____________
2. Who is the president on the nickel? _________________
3. What color is a nickel? _______________
4. How would you write out a nickel’s value in dollar form? (ex: $.07)  _________
5. How many nickels would you need to make one dollar ($1.00)? ______________

C. Dimes

1. How much is a dime worth? _____________
2. Who is the president on the dime? ______________
3. What color is a dime? ____________
4. How would you write out a dime’s value in dollar form? (ex: $.07)_________
5. How many dimes would you need to make one dollar ($1.00)? ____________

D. Quarters

1. How much is a quarter worth? _____________
2. Who is the president on the quarter? _________________
3. What color is a quarter? _______________
4. How would you write out a dime’s value in dollar form? (ex: $.07) _________
5. How many quarters would you need to make one dollar ($1.00)? ____________

Please sort the coins online into the proper categories of pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters on the website.

Once you have completed the “Learn” section, please start Page #2.

HANDOUT #2