Lesson Plan: Grade 1 Mathematics – Money

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  1. Lesson Plan Title: Grade 1 Mathematics: Exploring South African Money

  2. Materials Needed:

    • Real or play coins and bank notes of South African currency
    • Laminated reference sheets featuring images of coins and bank notes
    • Worksheets for reinforcement activities
  3. Learning Objectives:
    • Differentiate between various South African coins and bank notes
    • Interpret the value of different coins and bank notes
    • Calculate the amount of money using different coins and bank notes up to R10
  4. Vocabulary:
    • Money: The coins or banknotes that are used to purchase items
    • Rand: The primary unit of money in South Africa
    • Coin: A small, round piece of metal that is used as cash
    • Note: A paper currency
    • Value: The worth of a coin or note
  5. Previous Learning:
    Learners should have a basic understanding of counting and recognising numbers, which will assist in their comprehension of monetary values.

  6. Anticipated Challenges and Solutions:

    • Learners may have difficulty distinguishing between different coins and their values. Using vivid images of real coins could be beneficial.
    • Counting money might be a hurdle for some learners, in which case tactical activities and consistent practice will be useful.
  7. Beginning Activities (4 minutes):
    • Exhibit real or play coins and bank notes to the class.
    • Facilitate a conversation about the necessity of money and its uses (e.g., to purchase necessities like food and toys.)
  8. Middle Activities (32 minutes):
    • Direct Instruction: Unravel the different South African coins and bank notes, explaining their specific values. Use reference sheets to visually connect images with values.
    • Guided Practice: Distribute sets of coins and notes for groups to practice identification and calculations. Strengthen learners’ understanding through interactive discussions and question-answers.
    • Independent Practice: Learners must individually fill out a worksheet on which they are required to distinguish between different coins and notes, as well as calculate money up to R10.
  9. End Activities (4 minutes):
    • Initiate dialogues about everyday scenarios in which students might need to count money, using targeted, practical questions to assess their understanding.
  10. Assessment and Checks for Understanding:
    • Continuous formative assessment will take place throughout the lesson via questioning.
    • Summative assessment will be in the form of worksheet completion and understanding evaluation.
  11. Differentiation Strategies:
    • Struggling learners: Limit the types of coins used in the practice activities for easier comprehension.
    • Advanced learners: Introduce and explain the concept of ‘change’ by offering supplementary activities in which an amount larger than the price is paid.
  12. Teaching Notes:
    • Stress on the life skills element of learning about money.
    • Foster an engaging and enjoyable learning environment to stimulate students’ interest in money.
    • Ensure hygiene standards: advise learners to sanitize their hands after engaging with real or play money for practical tasks.
  13. Indigenous Knowledge Integration:
    • Highlight traditional African bartering systems to provide context to the historical evolution of modern currency.
  14. Technology Integration:
    • If resources allow, consider using digital tools designed for teaching money concepts e.g., virtual currency apps or games.
  15. Resource Appropriateness:
    • If real or play money is not available, printed images of the relevant coins and notes can be used.
  16. Practical Considerations:
    • Due to the tactile nature of the lesson, students will need to wash or sanitise their hands before and after handling the money.