1. Title: Money Stories

2. Context

Grade: First graders in an upper first and second grade level math class

This is a math lesson where students will create narrative stories using number sentences, provided by the instructor. Students have already worked with coins and are familiar with their values. For example, dimes are worth more than nickels, even though dimes are smaller.  They also understand that there are multiple ways to make $0.50. 

3. Objectives: SWBATDTU of adding and subtracting different increments of money but creating their own story problems from addition and subtraction number sentences. 

4. Benchmarks: Second grade standards for Problem Solving

MA.02.PS.02 Choose strategies that can work and then carry out the strategies chosen.

MA.02.PS.04 Use pictures, symbols, and/or vocabulary to convey the path to the identified solution.

5. Preparation

Materials

·        Enough fake money for students working in pairs (dimes, nickels, pennies, and quarters)

·        An overhead projector

·        Plastic baggies to store the fake money (enough for every two students)

·        Overhead friendly money (small round transparencies with “P,” “D,” “N,” and “Q” marked on them, or label them with the actual cent value. Try to make the circular transparencies correspond to the actual size of the coin. 

6. Lesson Introduction/Set: (8 min)
“We’re going to work with our money again.”

Pass out the baggies of fake coins, one for every two students. Do a quick review of each coins value. Write each problem on the overhead, and warm up with some number sentences:

10¢ + 15¢ = ___

25¢ - 6¢ =  ___

For each warm up problem, lets students work individually with the manipulatives to solve the number sentence. Ask students to volunteer answers, asking them how they got their answer. What combination of coins did they use to solve the equation? Write the students’ answers and explanations on the overhead. Using the overhead money, solve each problem.

7. Sharing Objectives: (2 min)
“Today we are going to add and subtract money. But we’re going to something a little different. Today you get to create a story to go along with your number sentences. You can even use your favorite movies, books, or cartoon to make up stories.”

8. Learning activities: (15 min)

1. Pass out the math worksheet for students
2. On the overhead write one of the number sentences from the warm up (10¢ + 15¢). Ask for a volunteer to a name their favorite movie, book, or cartoon. As a class, make up a story, using the characters from the movie, book, or cartoon, to go along with the number sentence.

Example:  Sponge Bob wanted to buy a jellyfish net. The nets cost 25¢. Sponge Bob only has 10¢. Maybe he can borrow some from Patrick. How much does Sponge Bob have to borrow from Patrick to buy the jellyfish net?

Students can write this example on the first space of their worksheet. Let them draw a quick picture of the coins they used in their number sentences and stories (possibly two dimes and a nickel).

3. Students will pair up with a partner and make two more stories to accompany the number sentences provided. The instructor should circulate the room, watching the students.

·        Students should find the answer to the number sentence before creating their stories.

·        If students have difficulty with writing, let them draw a picture representing their story. Then, ask them to verbally tell their narrative describing the number sentences.

9. Closure: (5 min)
After students have finished their stories, ask for volunteers to present them in front of the class. Let them use the transparent overhead money to show how they got their answer. Students may also choose to draw a picture of that represents their story on the overhead projector.

After students have finished presenting have them turn in their worksheets.