Money - Counting in coins activity - Planning

In the initial stages of a Year 1 maths lesson on money, children are introduced to the concept of counting coins. They begin by consolidating their understanding of the different coins used in currency and the importance of recognising their values. The lesson employs a variety of resources such as teaching slides, physical coins, and number lines to assist in counting in 2s, 5s, and 10s. Key vocabulary such as 'coins', 'value', 'altogether', 'total', and 'worth' are highlighted, with the option to access vocabulary cards and definitions online. The lesson starts with a recap of counting in multiples, which is essential for understanding how to count coins. Children are then encouraged to work in pairs to identify and name all the coins, with a focus on distinguishing between similar ones like 1p and £1.

As the lesson unfolds, students engage in a series of activities designed to deepen their understanding of counting with coins. They practice naming coins by sight and touch, and progress to counting collections of identical coins using the skills of counting in 2s, 5s, and 10s. For those ready for a challenge, a wider variety of coins are introduced. Another key activity involves finding equivalent values among different coins, such as equating five 10p coins to a single 50p coin, which they discuss with a partner before writing down their answers. The lesson aims to address common misconceptions, such as the idea that one coin automatically equals 1p, and to ensure children are comfortable with counting in multiples. The plenary encourages self-reflection with a 'Give me five' exercise, where children consider what they have learned, the skills they used, and what they found challenging. Differentiated learning outcomes are provided, ranging from working towards expectations to achieving greater depth, with activities tailored to each child's level of understanding.