Foundations of Mathematical Thinking · 1st Class

Active learning ideas

Recognising Coins and Notes

Active learning makes money tangible for young learners. Handling real coins and notes in stations and role-plays builds immediate recognition and confidence. When students sort, combine, and spend, they connect abstract numbers to lived experience.

• NCCA Curriculum Specifications
• NCCA: Junior Cycle - Strand 3: Number - N.1.7
• NCCA: Junior Cycle - Strand 3: Number - N.1.8

• 25–40 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Role Play
• 30 min · Pairs

Sorting Station: Irish Coins

Prepare trays with mixed Irish coins. Students sort by type into labelled sections, state values, and count totals for each pile. Pairs verify counts and discuss size-value mismatches.

What coins and notes do we use in Ireland, and what is each one worth?

Facilitation Tip

During Sorting Station, ask pairs to measure coin diameters with a ruler before sorting by value to confront size-value confusion directly.

What to look for

Present students with a mixed pile of Irish euro coins. Ask them to sort the coins by value and then count how many of each type they have. Observe if they can correctly identify and count each denomination.

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

Activity 02

• Role Play
• 25 min · Small Groups

Combination Cards: Make the Total

Distribute cards showing target amounts like 20 cent or 50 cent. Students select from coin sets to build exact combinations, draw or list them on sheets. Groups share and compare multiple solutions.

How can you make a total of 20 cent using different combinations of coins?

Facilitation Tip

When using Combination Cards, have students record their solutions on mini whiteboards so you can see their thinking in real time.

What to look for

Give each student a card with a picture of an item costing 35 cent. Ask them to draw or list the coins they would use to pay for it. Collect these to check their ability to combine coins for a specific total.

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

Activity 03

• Role Play
• 40 min · Small Groups

Mini Shop Role-Play: Exact Payment

Set up a shop corner with priced toys under 1 euro. Students choose items, pick coins for exact payment, and role-play buyer-seller exchanges. Rotate roles every 10 minutes.

Can you choose the right coins to pay for something that costs 50 cent?

Facilitation Tip

In Mini Shop Role-Play, circulate with a small basket of coins to model correct change handling and prompt students to justify their selections aloud.

What to look for

Ask students: 'If you wanted to buy a small toy that costs €1, what coins and notes could you use?' Facilitate a class discussion where students share different combinations, encouraging them to justify their choices based on coin values.

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

Activity 04

• Role Play
• 35 min · Whole Class

Budget Board: Class Savings Jar

Whole class earns 'income' points for tasks, converts to coins for a jar. Decide expenditures like stickers, record budget on a chart. Review weekly totals.

What coins and notes do we use in Ireland, and what is each one worth?

What to look for

Present students with a mixed pile of Irish euro coins. Ask them to sort the coins by value and then count how many of each type they have. Observe if they can correctly identify and count each denomination.

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

A few notes on teaching this unit

Start with a brief whole-class demonstration using a visualiser to show both sides of a coin and note while naming its value. Teach the habit of rotating coins to view the value side, as this prevents misreading. Keep sessions short and focused, rotating activities every ten minutes to maintain engagement. Avoid worksheets early on; children need the physical coins to build mental models of value.

Students will quickly name each Irish coin and note by value and confidently combine coins to reach exact totals. They will discuss their choices and explain their reasoning during group work. You will notice fewer size or colour-based mistakes as they verify amounts together.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Sorting Station, watch for students who group coins by size instead of value.

  Direct them to measure each coin’s diameter using a ruler and match it to the correct value card. Ask them to hold the coin up to the price tag on the table to see the value printed there.

• During Combination Cards, watch for students who assume all gold coins have the same value.

  Provide a colour-cue strip showing the values of gold coins side by side. Have them sort the coins first by colour, then by size, then by value, discussing each step aloud.

• During Mini Shop Role-Play, watch for students who insist on using many small coins for every purchase.

  Give them a ‘Challenge Card’ that says ‘Use the fewest coins possible’ and ask them to swap their selection with a partner to test efficiency. Praise combinations that use larger coins first.

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Methods used in this brief

• Role Play