Money - Recognising notes - Planning

In a practical and engaging lesson for Year 1 pupils, the focus is on recognising and understanding the value of money in the form of notes. The lesson aims to build on the children's existing knowledge of place value to help them grasp that a single note can represent a larger sum of money, and that notes can vary in value. To begin with, children are encouraged to differentiate between coins and notes, with the use of real or accurate representations of notes being essential for a tactile learning experience. The lesson includes partner work where students discuss and identify the value of each note, and then sequence them from the smallest to largest value.

The concept of equivalency is introduced to ensure a deeper understanding of money's worth. This is reinforced by asking the children what is similar and different across various notes, and by using key questions to challenge their ability to identify and compare the value of different notes. Independent learning is supported by differentiated worksheets tailored to each child's level of understanding, from recognising smaller quantities of notes to dealing with a larger amount and identifying equivalent values. By the end of the lesson, the children are expected to be more confident in naming notes, understanding their worth, and recognising equivalencies, while also reflecting on the skills they have used and any challenges they have faced. The plenary involves a "Give me five" activity where pupils summarise their learning and make a commitment to remember key aspects of the lesson.