Mathematics · Year 3

Active learning ideas

Money: Australian Currency

Active learning helps young learners grasp the concrete and abstract parts of money. Handling coins and notes builds tactile understanding of value, while games and relays make abstract calculations visible and fun. These activities turn abstract numbers into tangible exchanges students can see and repeat.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9M3N06

• 20–45 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Role Play
• 45 min · Small Groups

Role-Play: Market Stall

Assign roles: shopkeepers price 5-10 items under $2 using sticky notes. Customers select items, pay with 2-3 coins or a note, and receive change. Rotate roles after 10 minutes; end with groups sharing best change strategies.

Analyze how different combinations of coins can make the same total amount.

Facilitation Tip

During Coin Combo Cards, circulate with a timer so pairs feel urgency to match cards quickly, which builds automaticity with coin values.

What to look for

Present students with a selection of Australian coins and notes. Ask them to sort them from least to greatest value. Then, ask them to select coins to make a specific amount, such as 75¢.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 02

• Role Play
• 30 min · Pairs

Coin Combo Cards: Matching Game

Prepare cards showing totals like 75¢ with images of coin sets. Pairs match equivalent combinations, such as three 20¢ + one 10¢ + one 5¢ to 75¢. Discuss and record multiple solutions per total.

Design a strategy for calculating change efficiently when making a purchase.

Facilitation Tip

In the Change Calculation Relay, stand at the end of the line to listen to each student’s strategy and spot misconceptions mid-relay.

What to look for

Give each student a scenario: 'You bought a pencil for 85¢ and paid with a $2 coin. How much change will you receive?' Students write their answer and show the calculation used.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 03

• Role Play
• 25 min · Whole Class

Change Calculation Relay: Line Up

Divide class into teams. Call a price and payment, like $1.50 for 85¢. First student calculates change verbally, next draws coins for it, third orders them. Teams compete for accuracy.

Justify the importance of understanding currency in everyday life.

Facilitation Tip

For Ordering Sort, give each student a set of coin and note replicas so they physically manipulate and compare values rather than relying on pictures.

What to look for

Pose the question: 'Imagine you need to pay exactly $1. How many different ways can you make $1 using Australian coins and notes?' Facilitate a class discussion where students share their combinations and explain their thinking.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 04

• Role Play
• 20 min · Individual

Ordering Sort: Individual Challenge

Provide mixed coin and note images. Students order by value on worksheets, then trade with partners to check and justify. Extend by grouping into sets making $1.

Analyze how different combinations of coins can make the same total amount.

What to look for

Present students with a selection of Australian coins and notes. Ask them to sort them from least to greatest value. Then, ask them to select coins to make a specific amount, such as 75¢.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

A few notes on teaching this unit

Teachers use hands-on materials to replace abstract symbols with real value. Avoid worksheets early on; instead, let students touch and sort money. Research shows that when children physically exchange coins, their mental calculations become faster and more accurate. Keep discussions focused on the coins they hold, not just the numbers written on them.

By the end of these activities, students will confidently name and order Australian coins and notes. They will quickly calculate change for amounts under $5, using multiple coin combinations. Listening to peers explain their methods will show growing fluency with addition and subtraction in real contexts.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Coin Combo Cards, watch for students who match coins by size instead of value.

  Remind them to check the number printed on each card and place the 50¢ coin before the $1 coin even though it is smaller.

• During Coin Combo Cards, watch for students who believe there is only one way to make a total amount.

  Prompt them to find a second combination by swapping 20¢ coins for 10¢ coins and counting aloud together.

• During Role-Play: Market Stall, watch for students who subtract the price from the payment but cannot show the coins that make the change.

  Ask them to open the cash register and physically select the coins that match the change amount, counting up from the price to the payment.

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Methods used in this brief

• Role Play