The Penny Pot: Level 3, Counting Coins (Mathstart)
#5 of 19 in MathStart 1 Series
What’s inside...
Stuart J. Murphy travels across the United States engaging with children about the importance of math in everyday activities such as sharing a pizza, spending their allowance, and sorting socks. He writes entertaining stories that highlight the fun aspects of math, which can be seen in scenarios like counting coin combinations at a school fair face painting booth to make a total of fifty cents. Follow along and count coins with Jessie and her friends as they are transformed into a clown, a monster, and more at the face painting booth. With a naughty cat underfoot and festive illustrations by Lynne Cravath, this coin counting story is sure to be a favorite. Level 3, Counting Coins (Mathstart)
Character compass
Jessie
Fran
Discussion points
What would you do if you were at the face painting booth like Jessie but didn't have enough money?
How did the people at the fair help Jessie collect enough coins for her face painting?
What did you learn about different coins and their values?
Why do you think it's important to know how to count money?
How would you help a friend if they were short on coins like Jessie was?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the story to real-life situations, such as handling money at a store or saving for something special. Ask them to imagine different scenarios where counting coins could be useful. Praise their understanding and efforts to apply math skills in practical ways. Discuss the value of kindness and helping others, as shown in the book. Consider role-playing a buying and selling scenario to make the learning interactive and fun.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding the value of money
Explanation: The story uses a real-world scenario of a school fair to teach children about counting coins and making purchases with a budget.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this knowledge in everyday situations such as buying snacks, saving their allowance, or understanding prices during shopping trips with family.
Example Lesson: Developing math skills
Explanation: The book engages children in counting coins, adding different values, and understanding the concept of change, enhancing their mathematical abilities.
Real-World Application: These math skills will help children in their academic journey, especially in math classes, and give them confidence in handling money responsibly.
Example Lesson: Learning the importance of saving
Explanation: The story shows how the character Jessie saves money in the penny pot for a face painting, teaching the value of saving for desired items.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to set savings goals for toys or activities they desire, teaching delayed gratification and financial planning from an early age.
Example Lesson: Promoting decision-making skills
Explanation: Children in the story must decide what they can afford with their available coins, fostering critical thinking and decision-making.
Real-World Application: Kids can use these decision-making skills to weigh options and make choices about using their resources, be it time, money, or efforts, in various aspects of life.
Example Lesson: Encouraging generosity and sharing
Explanation: By contributing to the penny pot which is used by others, children in the book demonstrate sharing and helping others.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches kids the importance of community and helping those in need, which can be applied in school or at home by sharing toys, books, or participating in community aid.