This Grades 1–3 resource introduces students to money through hands‑on, literacy‑rich, and math‑focused activities. Students learn to recognize coins and bills, understand their values, count money by 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s, add and subtract money, and make change. The resource includes matching cards, puzzles, reproducible worksheets, money illustrations, and a full set of classroom center activities such as a Play Store, Counting Center, and chart stories. As the document states, the goal is “to develop the recognition and understanding of the values of various forms of money” and “to provide the students with the opportunity to manipulate and use money correctly.”

The program also integrates phonics, reading, word study, and creative writing. Students explore money vocabulary, initial consonants, blends, syllables, rhyming, alphabetical order, plurals, and story writing. Activities such as “We save our pennies in a bank” and “Five pennies make a nickel” blend literacy with math concepts. The resource encourages real‑world application through role‑play stores, excursions, and discussions about the importance of money, bartering, saving, and spending.

Learning Intentions:

• To develop the recognition and understanding of the values of various forms of money.
• To provide the students with the opportunity to manipulate and use money correctly.
• To teach the importance of money in our society.

Introduction:

• Learning Expectations - At A Glance
• Assessment Rubrics
  • Teacher and Student
• Teacher Notes
  • Introduction
  • Learning Objectives
  • Techer Input Suggestions
    • Bulletin Board Display
    • Introduction
    • Discussion Topics
    • Excursions/Visitors
    • List of Vocabulary
    • List of Resources
  • Money Illustrations

US Standards Alignment

Skills Taught in This Resource

• Recognizing Canadian coins & bills
• Understanding value
• Counting money (1s, 2s, 5s, 10s)
• Adding & subtracting money
• Making change
• Matching coins to values, numerals, and words
• Money vocabulary, phonics, reading, writing
• Real‑world money use (shopping, price tags, Play Store)

Common Core Alignment

This chart shows all CCSS standards that your money activities support, even when CCSS does not explicitly list money at that grade.

Common Core Alignment by Grade

📘 Grade 1 Supported CCSS Standards

Money is not formally introduced in Grade 1 CCSS, but this unit supports these foundational skills.

Operations & Algebraic Thinking (1.OA)

• 1.OA.A.1 Use addition/subtraction to solve word problems Supported by: “Add and subtract money” activities.
• 1.OA.C.5 Relate counting to addition/subtraction Supported by: Counting pennies, nickels, dimes by 1s, 5s, 10s.
• 1.OA.C.6 Add/subtract within 20 Supported by: Simple money totals and change-making.

Number & Operations in Base Ten (1.NBT)

• 1.NBT.A.1 Count to 120 Supported by: Counting coins to 100¢.
• 1.NBT.B.2 Understand tens/ones Supported by: “Ten pennies make a dime.”

Measurement & Data (1.MD)

• 1.MD.A.1 Order objects by length Supported indirectly by: Comparing coin sizes.
• 1.MD.C.4 Organize/interpret data Supported by: Sorting coins, tallying coin jars.

Reading & Language Standards

Your unit includes phonics, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing. These support:

• RF.1.3 Phonics
• RF.1.4 Reading fluency
• L.1.1 Grammar (singular/plural)
• L.1.4 Vocabulary acquisition
• W.1.3 Narrative writing
• RL.1.1–1.7 Literary comprehension Supported by: Arthur’s Funny Money, Berenstain Bears, Frances, King Midas. 

📗 Grade 2 Direct CCSS Money Standards + Expanded Alignment

Measurement & Data (2.MD) — DIRECT MONEY STANDARD

• 2.MD.C.8 Solve word problems involving dollar bills, quarters, dimes, nickels, pennies; use $ and ¢ symbols Your unit directly teaches:
• Matching coins to values
• Counting coins
• Making change
• Adding/subtracting money
• Price tags
• Store simulations
• Word problems

Operations & Algebraic Thinking (2.OA)

• 2.OA.A.1 One- and two-step word problems Supported by: “How many more cents are needed?” “How much did each child spend?”

Number & Operations in Base Ten (2.NBT)

• 2.NBT.A.2 Skip-count by 5s, 10s Supported by: Counting nickels/dimes.
• 2.NBT.B.5 Fluently add/subtract within 100 Supported by: Adding coin amounts, making change.

Reading & Language Standards

Same as Grade 1, but at Grade 2 complexity:

• RF.2.3 Phonics
• RF.2.4 Fluency
• L.2.4 Vocabulary
• W.2.3 Narrative writing
• RL.2.1–2.7 Literary comprehension

📙 Grade 3 Supported CCSS Standards

Money is not explicitly listed in Grade 3 CCSS, but your unit supports these skills.

Operations & Algebraic Thinking (3.OA)

• 3.OA.A.3 — Use multiplication/division in word problems Supported by:
• “5 pennies = 1 nickel”
• “10 dimes = 1 dollar”
• Repeated addition of coins

Number & Operations in Base Ten (3.NBT)

• 3.NBT.A.2 Fluently add/subtract within 1000 Supported by: Adding multiple price tags, multi-step money problems.

Measurement & Data (3.MD)

• 3.MD.A.2 Solve word problems involving measurement Supported by: Money-as-measure (value comparisons, totals).

Fractions (3.NF)

• 3.NF.A.1 Understand fractions as equal parts Supported by:
• “Quarter dollar”
• “Half dollar”
• “One quarter = 25¢”

Reading & Language Standards

Grade 3 versions of the same literacy skills:

• RL.3.1–3.7 Comprehension
• W.3.3 Narrative writing
• L.3.4 Vocabulary

Student Worksheets & Activities:

Money Phonics Activities:

Worksheets on these topics:

• B words
• M words
• P words
• D words
• The sound “n”
• Words beginning with “qu”
• Making new words with rhyming words
• Vowel Sounds 

Money Matching Activities:

Prep is required for these activities. Cut out the money cards, mount them, and laminate.  Store the cards in an envelope. Attach the instruction card.  The student will match the cards. 

• Match the money word to the coin.
• Match the puzzle pieces to make money.
• Match the puzzle money words.
• Match the numeral to the coin.
• Match the words to the money.
• Match the moneys that are the same.
• Match the money card to the price tag.
• Match the money cards that are equal. 

Money Word Study Activities:

• Money Word Puzzle
• Money Word Search
• Words with Two Syllables
• Singular and Plural Words
• Alphabetical Order 

Money Creative Writing Activities:

Write a Story:

• Pennies from Heaven
• The Wishing Well
• Money Tree
• The Magic Penny
• Stop Thief!
• If I had a million dollars 

Money Reading Activities:

Some story books are used for these activities.

• Read the book Arthur’s Funny Money and answer the questions.
• Read the book The Berenstain Bears’ Trouble with Money and answer the questions.
• Read the book A Bargain for Frances and answer the questions. 

King Midas and the Golden Touch story and follow-up. 

Reading a Nursery Rhyme money story:

• To Market
• Simple Simon
• Sing a Song of Sixpence
• Hot-Cross Buns
• The Bunch of Blue Ribbons

Money Math Activities:

Worksheets on these skills:

• Match the Money
• Count the Pennies by 1
• Count the Nickels by 5
• Count the Dimes by 10
• Count the money
• Count the money in the piggy bank
• Count the money in the box
• Circle the money needed to buy each item
• Circle which is more
• Working with money
• How many more cents are needed?
• How much did each child spend?
• Add up the sales tapes
• Subtract to find out how much is left
• Draw a picture of each kind of money
• Count the change
• Count the change from a dollar    

Start saving TIME today!

We give you 100's of NO PREP! lessons to download so you can do what you love! TEACH! 

Take the leap and join today!