Learning Intention: Students will be able to calculate and give change using different monetary denominations (e.g. coins, bills).

Materials: Play currency (e.g. coins and bills) for each student

Instructions:

1. Ask the students to brainstorm examples of purchases where they may be asked to give change (e.g. buying a snack in a store, purchasing an item for a certain amount of money).

2. Explain how to calculate change by showing an example (e.g. “If I give the cashier a $10 bill and the item I want to buy costs $4.25, how much change will I get back? The cashier will give me $5.75 in change.”).

3. Give each student a handful of play currency in different denominations (e.g. coins and bills).

4. Have the students take turns playing the role of both the customer and the cashier. Have one student act as the customer by choosing a ‘purchase’ (e.g. cookie, pencil) and announcing the price (e.g. $1.75). The other student will be the cashier and must calculate and give the appropriate change to the customer using the play currency provided.

5. After each student has had a turn as the customer and cashier, switch roles and repeat the activity.

6. Finally, have students discuss how understanding how to give change is important in doing everyday tasks like purchasing items in a store and helping them develop their numeracy skills.