In speaking with my sons teacher last week, I learned that he isn’t the only one having difficulty learning the value of each of the coins, how to find the total value of a group of coins, and how to show an amount of money in different ways.
Since then his teacher has provided the class with numerous study aids this one shared here happens to be our favorite. My son, as I’m sure most school aged kids love music, and once something is put in a song, it is easily remembered.
In addition to the Money Song, we have also been acting out payment methods in our home. With each task my son does he earns play money (we purchased at Target in the dollar section), through out the day.
Example:
Make your bed: 25 cents
Empty the dishwasher: 28 cents
We then have him use said play money to pay for things through out the day at home.
Both the Money Song and acting out payment methods with Play Money have helped my son with learning money, hoping it helps your children as well.
Study questions to ask your second grader:
How do you find the value to a group of coins?
How do you order coins to help find the total value of a group of coins?
How do you choose coins to show a money amount in different ways?
How can you show the value of one dollar with coins?
How do you show money amounts greater than one dollar?
How does acting it out help when solving problems about money?
Are you using a different technique? What is working for your second grader?
Next up is How to tell time..
I’ll have to try the money song with Abby. We’ve been trying to teach her the difference in her coins but she keeps getting the nickel and quarter confused. I love your photo because it shows the difference in the coins. It would be very helpful.
I love these suggestions, Jayson will definitely benefit from learning the song and having to use money on a daily basis. Maybe I’ll pay him for chores, then me him pay per 10 minutes for Minecraft time. 🙂
YES! That is an awesome idea, I didn’t think about having JD pay for playing video games!
My daughter is still a toddler but when the time comes this is such an excellent idea. I know so many kids are struggling with common core. It’s nice to see a mom taking charge. I can attest to Leap Frog products as my toddler has learned so much from one of their Alphabet learning games. Thanks for sharing your tips.
MJ I was so anti-common core, but it here to stay. Therefore I figured I might as well embrace it and instead of complaining help my son to find a way to master it.
Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever heard that money song before. My Dad always used to sing silly rhymed songs to me to get me to remember homework, or math equations…. and if he knew that money song I know he would’ve sang that to me too haha 🙂
Your dad is a smart man! Just think about how our kids memorize the latest Taylor Swift song. I’m all for whatever works 🙂
My son is only four, but I’ll have to try the money song with him! Counting change is not one of my strong traits. I’m hoping my son will be better at it than I am. These were some great tips!
Glad you liked the tips! Hope it helps you as well:)
Those are cute little rhymes. My mother teachers kindergarten and I know she teachers her students about the different types of coins. Never really thought about doing it at home though!
That little song is so cute and easy to learn. My nephew follows a Common Core curriculum, and he’s having some difficulties with the 4th grade level stuff. If he was in the 2nd grade, he’d love to learn by song. He came home memorizing this entire rap about the Solar System and planets, and I probably could recite it because I’ve heard it that many times.
This is great advice! As a teacher, we used tons of techniques and modalities in my class to address value of money. We always used a song, it helped the kids a LOT!
As a personal finance writer I am glad these tools are around to help your son learn money concepts. Did you know most kids don’t understand money? The younger we start teach important money concepts and financial literacy the better off are kids are.
Absolutely agree, too often I learn of people from my generation in debt. I want to do my best to ensure my kids have a confident understanding of money to prevent them from falling victim to debt.
I think the money song is cute. If only I knew the tune it went with. Yes music for children and even adults is always a great ways to learn and remember! Great info!
I remember when my kid was 5 years old she used up all her $10 (that she received from a prior birthday) and spent it all at the school bookfair buying all kinds of things. When she got home we had to teach her a lesson about money…but a way that she can understand. So we asked her to stand for 10 mins. and told her that’s probably the best description how to earn 10 cents. When we said she had several more hours to go before she hits $10, she then said “Wow! Money is hard to earn!”. Our point exactly! 🙂
I love it! What a great lesson, to teach kids. My son is so tight with his money, he saves it all but then tries to spend my money lol