K-4 MATHEMATICS STANDARDS

COMMUNICATION ACTIVITY

Standard's bullets addressed by activity

• reflect on and clarify their thinking about mathematical ideas and situations
• relate their everyday language to mathematical language and symbols
• realize that representing, discussing, reading, writing, and listening to mathematics are a vital part of learning and using mathematics

Materials needed

• Paper money/coins (optional)

Description of Activity

• Group or classroom management practices

Students work in groups of four.

For each situation, write how you would feel about acquiring money in that way and how you would use it.

• Situation 1: Your grandparents gave you $50.00 for your birthday.

• Situation 2: You earned $50.00 from your parents for doing your chores.

• Situation 3: You found $50.00 on the school playground.

• Situation 4: You earned $50.00 for weaving two baskets for the handicraft shop.

(Note: Students may brainstorm other situations.)

Each person in a group of four members should choose a different situation to write about. After they have written about their particular situations, they will discuss their "solutions" first in their own small groups and then as a class.

Some questions to ask in the large group may include:

• Did you feel comfortable about acquiring the money in the situation you chose?

• Justify your answer.

• Now that you have heard other people's "solutions" do you think you will change how you chose to spend or invest the money
• Extensions

Lesson can be modified to be more specific or grade-level appropriate by varying the situations and amounts so that they are more realistic for that grade level.

Students may also write about how they would spend the money they have saved for a year. Will they use it for themselves, give it away to charity, or spend it or invest it in other ways?

Reference

Winocur, S. (1986). How to spend it. California: IMPACT. p. 4, lesson 2.10.2.