🔢 MathLevel 1Lesson 28
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Using Play Money

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Learning Objectives

  • 1Count a small group of coins by starting with the highest-value coin
  • 2Add each coin’s value to find the total in cents
  • 3Show that the same total can be made with different coins
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Mini Lesson

Now that you know each coin’s value, it is time to put coins together and find the total. We use a strategy called count on — start with the biggest coin and add each smaller coin one at a time.

How to count on

  1. Sort your coins: biggest value first.
  2. Say the value of the first coin out loud.
  3. Add the next coin’s value and say the new total.
  4. Keep going until all coins are counted.
  5. Write the total with the ¢ symbol.

Example: Count a quarter, a dime, and a penny

  • Quarter → say "25"
  • + Dime → say "35"
  • + Penny → say "36"
  • Total = 36¢

Same total, different coins!

  • 10¢ can be: 1 dime, or 2 nickels, or 10 pennies.
  • The total is the same — only the coins are different.
Count-on strategy: quarter plus dime plus penny equals 36 centsThree coins in order: quarter labeled 25, dime labeled plus 10 equals 35, penny labeled plus 1 equals 36 cents.Count-On Strategy25¢Quarter= 25+10¢Dime= 35+1¢Penny= 36Total36¢Start big → count on → write total!
Count on from the quarter (25), add the dime (35), add the penny (36). Write 36¢.
Three ways to make 10 centsRow 1: one dime equals 10 cents. Row 2: two nickels equal 10 cents. Row 3: ten pennies equal 10 cents.Three Ways to Make 10¢10¢1 dime = 10¢5¢5¢2 nickels = 10¢10 pennies = 10¢Same total — different coins!
You can make 10¢ with one dime, two nickels, or ten pennies — they are all equal.
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Always start with the biggest coin — it saves time and keeps your count accurate!

Vocabulary
Count on
Start with the biggest value and add each next coin’s valuee.g. 25¢ → 35¢ → 36¢
Total
The full amount you get when all coins are added togethere.g. 36¢
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← Lesson 27: Understanding Coins and Their ValueLesson 29: Buying and Selling in a Mini-Shop →