🔢 MathGrade 2Lesson 37
← Back🔒 PDF with full access

Role-play Shopping and Change

Lesson preview: the Mini Lesson and Vocabulary are open to everyone. Guided practice, exercises, the parent checklist and the printable PDF worksheet come with full access (free 7-day trial or membership).

Learning Objectives

  • 1Select coins that add up to an exact price using the start-from-largest strategy
  • 2Calculate change when paying more than the cost (Change = Amount Paid - Cost)
  • 3Role-play as shopper and cashier to pay for items and make correct change
📘

Mini Lesson

Shopping is a great way to practice adding and subtracting money! When you buy something at a store, you need to either pay the exact amount or pay more and receive change.

Paying the exact amount

  • Choose coins whose values add up to exactly the price.
  • Example: item costs 30 cents -> use a quarter (25 cents) + a nickel (5 cents).
  • Tip: start with the largest coin that fits, then fill in the rest.
  • Using fewer coins is faster - a quarter (25 cents) beats five nickels!

Paying more and getting change

  • If you don't have the exact coins, pay with a larger coin or bill.
  • The store gives you change = amount paid - cost.
  • Example: item costs 35 cents, you pay 50 cents -> change = 50 - 35 = 15 cents.

The start-from-largest strategy

  • Look at the price. Find the biggest coin that does not go over it.
  • Subtract that coin's value from the price. Repeat until you reach zero.
  • Example: pay 40 cents -> 25 cents (left: 15) -> 10 cents (left: 5) -> 5 cents (left: 0).
Paying the exact price using the start-from-largest coin strategyAn item with a 40 cent price tag. Three steps pay it exactly: 25 cents (15 left), 10 cents (5 left), 5 cents (0 left). Total = 40 cents in 3 coins.Paying the Exact AmountPrice40cStart from the largest coin:25c25cleft: 15c10c10cleft: 5c5c5cleft: 0c25c + 10c + 5c = 40c (Exact!)3 coins - no change neededAlways use the LARGEST coin that fits first!Fewer coins = faster, less chance of error
Paying 40 cents step by step - quarter (25c), dime (10c), nickel (5c) - 40c exactly in 3 coins.
Paying more than the price and receiving changeItem cost 35 cents. Pay with 50 cents (two quarters). Change = 50 minus 35 = 15 cents. Receipt shows the totals.Paying More - Getting ChangeItemCost: 35cYou pay:25c25c= 50cChange15c50-35=15ReceiptItem cost35cAmount paid50cChange back15cChange = Amount Paid - Cost50c - 35c = 15c
Paying 50c for a 35c item. Receipt: cost 35c, paid 50c, change 15c - using Change = Amount Paid - Cost.
💡

Say each step aloud: 'start with the quarter, twenty-five cents, fifteen left' - just like a real store checkout.

Vocabulary
Shopping
Buying things at a storee.g. We did pretend shopping at home.
Cashier
The person at the store who takes the moneye.g. I played the cashier and gave change.
Change
The money you get back when you pay too muche.g. When I paid 50¢ for a 35¢ snack, I got 15¢ change.
Exact amount
Coins that add up to the price with nothing lefte.g. I used a quarter and a nickel for the exact amount of 30¢.
Coin
Round metal money, like a penny or quartere.g. I picked the biggest coin first.
Free · 7 days · No credit card

Unlock the full HSEA system for 7 days.

Add your first kid profile and your 7 days start: every lesson in every grade, saved progress for each child. Nothing to set up, no card required, nothing to cancel.

  • ✓ All 1,680 lessons, Grades 1–6, every subject
  • ✓ Profiles + saved progress for every kid
  • ✓ Printable lessons with answer key
Start your 7-day free trial →
Already convinced? See full membership plans →
← Lesson 36: Add and Subtract MoneyLesson 38: Discuss Saving and Spending →