Parent guide · Grade 1 Math · Unit 8
Lesson 8.1 Pennies, Nickels, Dimes
Written for the parent. Read the Say this lines aloud as they are, or in your own words. Answers for you are marked Listen for.
At a glance
- Time
- 5 sessions of 20–25 minutes
- Goal
- Count a group of pennies, nickels and dimes.
- You need
- A few real coins
- Pencil and crayons
- A King James Bible
- Worksheet A · Worksheet B · the lesson page (it also has a short video (3:21))
Steps
Do this: Ask these out loud. Your child answers out loud; no paper needed.
- Ask: “4 + 8” Listen for: 12
- Ask: “8 + 1” Listen for: 9
- Ask: “1 + 3” Listen for: 4
- Ask: “8 + 6” Listen for: 14
- Ask: “1 + 4” Listen for: 5
Say this: “Count dimes by tens, nickels by fives, pennies by ones, in that order.”
Say this: “2 dimes, 1 nickel and 3 pennies: 10, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28¢.”
Say this: “Cent (¢): one penny.”
Say this: “Value: how much a coin is worth.”
Show: How much money is shown?
Say this: “Start with the coin worth the most and count on: 10, 20, 25, 26.”
Say this: “Total: 26¢”
Answer: 26¢
Show: A loaf costs 27¢. You pay with 50¢. How much change do you get?
Say this: “Subtract in cents: 50 − 27 = 23”
Say this: “Check: 27 + 23 = 50”
Say this: “Change: 23¢”
Answer: 23¢
Do this: Your child does these with you. Let them try first; help only after a real try.
Ask: How much money is shown?
Listen for: 8¢
If stuck: Start with the coin worth the most and count on: 5, 6, 7, 8.
Ask: How much money is shown?
Listen for: 6¢
If stuck: Start with the coin worth the most and count on: 5, 6.
Ask: How much money is shown?
Listen for: 10¢
If stuck: Start with the coin worth the most and count on: 5, 10.
10 more practice items on the lesson page, and on Worksheet A and Worksheet B.
- Counting each coin as one cent.
Grab a small handful of coins. Sort, count from the coin worth the most, and say the total. Highest total wins the round.
Say this: “Tell me what you learned today. Show me with your hands or the counters if you like.”
Listen for: Count a group of pennies, nickels and dimes.
A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
Counting money honestly and giving fair measure pleases God.
Count by fives and tens to 100, then mixed: 10, 20, 25, 30 (as when counting dimes and nickels).
Spread over the week
5 sessions of 20–25 minutes. Stop while it is still going well.
- Session 1. Warm-up, then teach the new idea (steps 1 and 2).
- Session 2. Warm-up again, then show how with the examples.
- Session 3. Practice together, then play the game.
- Session 4. More practice on the worksheet, and the daily habit.
- Session 5. Quick check: narration and a few practice items. Move on when it is mostly right.