Thematic Units - Calendar Money

Calendar Money

Every morning the calendar helper finds the correct number to put on the calendar. We discuss the number and then the helper goes to the money board. The money board is a metal cooking tray or I use a square stove cover. At the bottom of the tray are coins which have been hot glued to magnets. At the top of the tray is the cent symbol which has been written on with permanent marker. The helper must slide the coins up that equal the money amount for the daily number. We always use the least amount of coins to make the number, but more advanced grades could have the helper come up with several ways to make the same amount. For example, if the date is October 19 (then the number is 19),the child could make 19c using 19 pennies OR 3 nickels and 4 pennies OR 1 dime, 1 nickel, and 4 pennies. This is done every day so by the end of the year the children are all very familiar with coins.
Submitted by: Stacie APool37253@email-removed