Money - Working with Money Activity - Presentation

In Lesson 8 of a financial literacy series, students are introduced to the practical application of working with money through a series of engaging activities. The lesson aims to enhance their mathematical fluency and reasoning skills by using addition and subtraction to calculate monetary amounts. Students begin by recalling the different coins used in British currency, setting the stage for the subsequent exercises. The first activity places students at Zach's market stall, where they assist his friends in purchasing items by determining the total cost. For example, Tia wishes to buy a cuddly toy and a pencil, costing £2.70 and 85p respectively, and students must calculate that she needs £3.55 in total. Similarly, Malachi's shopping list includes a football and an orange juice, and through the activity, students work out that he will need £2.18 to make his purchases.

The lesson continues with a variety of scenarios where students must apply their understanding of currency and coin values. Leanna, for instance, wants to buy a football with a £2 coin and students must figure out her change after the purchase, which is 72p. In another task, children are encouraged to create their own questions about a fruit stall's offerings, exchange answers with a partner, and explain their methods. The lesson also incorporates reasoning questions, such as determining what Tia could have bought with a £5 note if she has £1.40 in change, leading to the discovery that she purchased four orange juices. These activities not only reinforce the children's numerical skills but also help them appreciate the importance of money management and the practicalities of everyday transactions.