Making Decimal Place Value Stick with Engaging Activities
Decimals can be a tricky concept for our students to grasp, especially when we’re asking them to think beyond whole numbers and into the realms of tenths, hundredths, and beyond. I remember when I first started teaching decimals—it was a challenge to make the learning experience engaging and meaningful for my students. But over time, I found a few strategies that really helped the concept click.
Before we begin with some fun activities, please click HEREto receive a free decimal place value anchor chart.
(Printable PDF format)
Place Value Teaching Ideas for 4th and 5th Grade Students:
Use Real-World Examples:
When teaching decimals, I found that connecting the concept to real-life scenarios really made a difference. For example, discussing money is a fantastic way to show students how decimals are used in everyday life. You can set up a classroom store, where students have to add up prices with decimal points, or even organize a mock bank where they deposit and withdraw money.
Interactive Place Value Charts:
I used to create large, interactive place value charts that the students could physically manipulate. It’s one thing to see the numbers on paper, but when they can physically move a "1" from the tenths column to the hundredths column, it makes a big difference.
Math Journals:
Have your students keep math journals where they write down what they’ve learned about decimals each day. Encourage them to include drawings and examples, and ask them to write about how they’ve seen decimals used in their everyday lives. This reflection helps solidify their understanding.
Differentiated Instruction:
One thing I’ve learned is the importance of differentiation. Not all students learn in the same way or at the same pace. For students who struggle, I might start with a concrete approach, using manipulatives like base-ten blocks to physically represent the decimal values. For my more advanced students, I challenge them with tasks that involve decimal place values in more complex, real-world scenarios, like calculating discounts during a mock shopping activity.
Peer Teaching:
I’ve seen great success with peer teaching. Pairing up students—where one has a firm grasp on decimals and the other is still learning—can be incredibly effective. The student who understands the concept well can reinforce their own learning by teaching it to someone else, and the student who needs help gets a different perspective on the material.
Visual Aids and Anchor Charts:
Creating visual aids like anchor charts can help students remember the key concepts. I always keep an anchor chart on the wall that breaks down place values and includes examples of how decimals work in real life. This way, students have a visual reference they can check whenever they’re stuck.
Top Questions Teachers Ask About Teaching Kids to Count Money
Today we are going to review an FAQ for teaching money standards to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade students.
Before you read all of the questions and answers below, please click HERE to receive a free US coins anchor chart.
Essential FAQs for teaching money to students:
1. How can I help my students differentiate between the different coins?
Students often struggle to recognize and distinguish between coins like nickels and dimes. What strategies can I use to make sure they can identify each coin correctly?
2. What’s the best way to teach students to count mixed coins, especially when they get confused switching between different values?
My students often lose track when counting a mix of pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. How can I help them stay organized and confident when counting various coin combinations?
3. How can I make counting coins more engaging for my students?
My students sometimes find counting coins tedious. What activities or games can I use to make the process more fun and interactive?
4. What should I do if my students are struggling with counting by 5s, 10s, and 25s?
Some of my students aren’t yet comfortable counting by 5s, 10s, and 25s, which makes counting coins difficult. How can I reinforce these counting skills in a way that connects with money?
5. How can I incorporate real-life scenarios into teaching coin combinations?
I want my students to understand how these skills apply outside the classroom. What are some effective ways to use real-world examples to teach them how to count and use coins?
Teaching tips and strategies for elementary teachers:
1. How can I help my students differentiate between the different coins?
Start by introducing each coin individually, focusing on its size, color, and the images on both sides. Use coin sorting activities where students separate coins into groups based on these characteristics. Visual aids, such as anchor charts or posters, can reinforce the differences between coins. Additionally, engage students in hands-on activities like rubbing crayons over coins on paper to highlight their distinct features. Regular practice and repetition are key to helping students confidently identify each coin.
2. What’s the best way to teach students to count mixed coins, especially when they get confused switching between different values?
Begin by teaching students to count each type of coin separately, starting with the highest value (quarters) and moving to the lowest (pennies). Once they’re comfortable, introduce mixed coin combinations, emphasizing the strategy of counting in groups—first quarters, then dimes, nickels, and finally pennies. Using number lines or coin value charts can help students visualize the counting process. Practice with real-life scenarios, like making change or counting out money for a purchase, can also solidify their understanding.
3. How can I make counting coins more engaging for my students?
Turn coin counting into a game to make it more fun and interactive. Activities like “Coin Bingo,” where students match amounts of money to their bingo cards, or a “Classroom Store,” where they use coins to buy and sell items, can make learning more dynamic. Incorporate technology by using educational apps that focus on money skills. Additionally, integrating music or rhymes that involve counting coins can make the learning process more memorable and enjoyable for students.
4. What should I do if my students are struggling with counting by 5s, 10s, and 25s?
If students are having trouble with skip counting, start by reinforcing these skills without using coins. Use number lines, skip-counting songs, or visual aids like counting charts to help students become more comfortable with counting by 5s, 10s, and 25s. Once they’ve mastered these, gradually introduce coins back into the equation. Practice counting groups of nickels, dimes, and quarters separately before mixing them. Consistent practice and a gradual increase in complexity can help students build confidence and accuracy.
5. How can I incorporate real-life scenarios into teaching coin combinations?
Use everyday activities that students can relate to, like setting up a classroom store where they can “buy” and “sell” items using coins. You can also create mock shopping experiences with grocery store flyers, where students practice counting out the exact change for different items. Field trips to local stores or inviting guest speakers to discuss how they use money in their jobs can also provide practical, real-world context. These scenarios make counting coins more relevant and show students the value of these skills in their daily lives.
In this blog post, I’ve gathered some common questions teachers ask about teaching money skills to young students, along with practical tips to make the process easier and more engaging. Whether you're helping students recognize coins or making counting more fun, these strategies are designed to support you in the classroom. I hope you find these ideas helpful as you guide your students in learning to count money.
Please check out these free printable counting money activities and worksheets:
Your students will have fun counting money with these free cut and paste math worksheets. Pair them with some manipulatives for hands-on learning.
Please click HERE to see math resources in my Amazon Associate store.
Please clickHEREto view my Teachers Pay Teachers Promoting Success store.
Shelly Anton is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. ** This means there are Amazon affiliate links in these blog posts. This does not mean you pay a dime more when you purchase a product through the link. It just means I am trying to save you valuable teacher time by making it easier for you to find great resources for your students, and I earn a few cents for my research and time. Thank you for all you do for kids!
Tips for Effectively Teaching Students in Grades 1-3 to Identify and Count Money
Teaching young students to identify and count money is an essential skill that lays the foundation for financial literacy. Here are some effective tips for first, second, and third grade teachers to help their students master coin and dollar identification and counting. They are also perfect for students with special education needs.
Before you read all of the tips below, please click HERE to receive a free US coins anchor chart.
1. Start with Coin Identification
First Grade:
Introduce Coins One at a Time: Start with the penny, then gradually introduce the nickel, dime, and quarter. Use real coins and large images to help students recognize each coin's unique features.
Create a Coin Chart: Display a classroom chart showing each coin, its name, and its value. Refer to this chart frequently.
Hands-On Activities: Use sorting and matching activities where students group coins by type and match them to their corresponding images and values.
Second Grade:
Review and Reinforce: Begin the year by reviewing the coins introduced in first grade. Use flashcards and interactive games to reinforce recognition.
Coin Rubbings: Have students create rubbings of coins using crayons and paper. This helps them notice the details and distinguish between different coins.
Interactive Books and Apps: Utilize educational books and apps focused on money identification to provide a multimedia approach to learning.
Third Grade:
Detailed Comparisons: Teach students to compare and contrast coins, focusing on size, color, and inscriptions. This helps them distinguish between coins like the dime and the penny.
Money Bingo: Play games like Money Bingo where students must identify and mark off coins based on their names and values.
Coin Identification Worksheets: Use worksheets that challenge students to identify coins based on descriptions and images.
2. Teach Counting with Coins
First Grade:
Counting by 1s and 5s: Start with counting by 1s using pennies. Once students are comfortable, introduce nickels and practice counting by 5s.
Coin Counting Mats: Use mats with spaces for placing specific numbers of pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. This visual aid helps students understand the value of each coin.
Simple Transactions: Set up a classroom store where students can "buy" items with pennies and nickels. This practical activity helps them apply counting skills in a real-world context.
Second Grade:
Skip Counting: Practice skip counting by 10s with dimes and by 25s with quarters. Use number lines and charts to support this skill.
Coin Combinations: Challenge students to make specific amounts using different combinations of coins. For example, "Make 15 cents using two coins."
Interactive Games: Use online games and apps that focus on counting money to provide interactive practice.
Third Grade:
Mixed Coin Counting: Introduce counting mixed coins, combining pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters to reach a total amount.
Counting Money Worksheets: Provide worksheets that include word problems and scenarios where students must count different combinations of coins to solve.
Classroom Market: Create a more complex classroom market where students use a mix of coins to "purchase" items, helping them practice making change and counting larger sums.
3. Introduce Dollar Bills
First Grade:
Introducing Dollar Bills: Begin with the $1 bill. Show its size, color, and features compared to coins.
Matching Activities: Use activities where students match coins to their equivalent dollar amount (e.g., 100 pennies to $1 bill).
Simple Addition: Teach students to add up coins to reach a dollar. Use visuals to show how many of each coin make up $1.
Second Grade:
Dollar Equivalents: Introduce $5, $10, and $20 bills. Discuss their values and how they relate to coins (e.g., 5 $1 bills equal a $5 bill).
Counting with Bills: Practice counting with dollar bills and combining them with coins to reach specific amounts.
Role-Playing: Use role-playing scenarios where students use dollar bills in transactions, reinforcing the concept of exchanging money.
Third Grade:
Making Change: Teach students how to make change for transactions involving dollar bills and coins. Use role-playing and real-life scenarios.
Advanced Counting: Practice counting larger sums of money using a combination of coins and dollar bills. Provide word problems that involve multi-step counting.
Money Math: Integrate money counting with math lessons, using money as a context for addition, subtraction, and problem-solving activities.
4. Free Downloadable Resource
Don't forget to click HERE to receive a free US coins anchor chart.
YouTube Videos
Money Song
Pencil Rubbing
Interactive Game Demonstration
5. Conclusion
Teaching money identification and counting to young students can be fun and engaging with the right strategies and activities. By starting with basic coin identification, progressing to counting skills, and eventually introducing dollar bills, you can build a solid foundation for your students' financial literacy.
For more resources and printable activities to support your money counting lessons, check out my Counting Money Bundle.
ClickHEREto view my Teachers Pay Teachers Promoting Success store.
Shelly Anton is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. ** This means there are Amazon affiliate links in these blog posts. This does not mean you pay a dime more when you purchase a product through the link. It just means I am trying to save you valuable teacher time by making it easier for you to find great resources for your students, and I earn a few cents for my research and time. Thank you for all you do for kids!
