Parent guide · Kindergarten Math · Unit 8

Lesson 8.3 Penny, Nickel, Dime

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 15–20 minutes
Goal: Name a penny, nickel and dime. Count pennies and nickels.
You need: A few real coins
Pencil and crayons
Print: Worksheet A · Worksheet B · the lesson page (it also has a short video (3:21))

Steps

Warm-up
Do this: Ask these out loud. Your child answers out loud; no paper needed.
- Ask: “2 + 4” Listen for: 6
- Ask: “1 + 1” Listen for: 2
- Ask: “5 + 4” Listen for: 9
- Ask: “3 + 4” Listen for: 7
- Ask: “2 + 3” Listen for: 5
Teach the new idea
Say this: “A penny is worth 1 cent, a nickel 5 cents and a dime 10 cents. The dime is the smallest coin but worth the most of these three.”
Say this: “Count the coin worth the most first, then count on.”
Say this: “Penny: 1 cent.”
Say this: “Nickel: 5 cents.”
Say this: “Dime: 10 cents.”
Show how
Show: How much money is shown?
$coins$
Say this: “Start with the coin worth the most and count on: 5, 10, 15.”
Say this: “Total: 15¢”
Answer: 15¢
Show: How much money is shown?
$coins$
Say this: “Start with the coin worth the most and count on: 10, 15.”
Say this: “Total: 15¢”
Answer: 15¢
Practice together
Do this: Your child does these with you. Let them try first; help only after a real try.
Ask: How much money is shown?
$coins$
Listen for: 3¢
If stuck: Start with the coin worth the most and count on: 1, 2, 3.
Ask: How much money is shown?
$coins$
Listen for: 5¢
If stuck: Start with the coin worth the most and count on: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Ask: How much money is shown?
$coins$
Listen for: 2¢
If stuck: Start with the coin worth the most and count on: 1, 2.
10 more practice items on the lesson page, and on Worksheet A and Worksheet B.
Watch for
- Thinking a nickel is worth more than a dime because it is bigger.
Game: Little Shop
Set up a shop with toys priced 1¢ to 10¢. Your child pays with pennies, nickels and dimes; you make sure the coins match the price.
Narration
Say this: “Tell me what you learned today. Show me with your hands or the counters if you like.”
Listen for: Name a penny, nickel and dime.; Count pennies and nickels.
Daily habit
Say the days of the week in order each morning, and name today, yesterday and tomorrow.

Spread over the week

5 sessions of 15–20 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.