Foundations of Mathematical Thinking · Senior Infants

Active learning ideas

Recognising Coins and Money

Children learn best about coins when they can touch, see, and use real money during activities. Hands-on sorting and role-play connect abstract values to tangible objects, making the concept of money clearer for young learners.

• NCCA Curriculum Specifications
• NCCA: Junior Cycle - Number - N.11

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

Activity 01

• Role Play
• 30 min · Small Groups

Sorting Centre: Coin Features

Provide trays of replica 1c, 2c, 5c coins. Students sort by colour, size, and edge. Then match to labelled pictures. Discuss findings as a group.

Can you find the 1 cent coin , what does it look like?

Facilitation Tip

During the Sorting Centre, encourage students to describe each coin’s size, colour, and edge design aloud as they group them.

What to look for

Present a mixed pile of 1, 2, and 5 cent coins. Ask students to sort the coins into three separate groups, one for each denomination. Observe if they can correctly group the coins by appearance and value.

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

Activity 02

• Role Play
• 45 min · Pairs

Role-Play Shop: Value Matching

Set up a shop with priced items (e.g., 2c apple, 5c banana). Pairs select coins to 'buy' items, checking if they have enough. Rotate shopkeeper roles.

Which coin is worth more , 2 cents or 5 cents?

Facilitation Tip

In the Role-Play Shop, model how to say the coin name and value clearly when handing over coins to the shopkeeper.

What to look for

Show students two different coins, for example, a 2 cent and a 5 cent coin. Ask: 'Which coin has more value? How do you know?' Listen for their reasoning based on visual cues or prior knowledge.

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

Activity 03

• Role Play
• 25 min · Individual

Coin Addition Hunt: Picture Cards

Scatter cards showing two coins (e.g., 1c + 2c). Children find matching coin pairs, add values verbally, and record with drawings. Share totals whole class.

How much do these two coins make altogether?

Facilitation Tip

For the Coin Addition Hunt, provide a small dry-erase board for students to record their totals before moving to the next card.

What to look for

Give each student a small card. Ask them to draw one coin they learned about today and write its name or value. Collect the cards to check for accurate identification of at least one coin.

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

Activity 04

• Role Play
• 20 min · Pairs

Comparing Pairs: More or Less

Display pairs like 2c vs 5c on mats. Students place thumbs up for more value, explain why. Switch pairs and repeat with peer talk.

Can you find the 1 cent coin , what does it look like?

Facilitation Tip

When Comparing Pairs, ask students to line up coins from smallest to largest value to reinforce the concept of worth.

What to look for

Present a mixed pile of 1, 2, and 5 cent coins. Ask students to sort the coins into three separate groups, one for each denomination. Observe if they can correctly group the coins by appearance and value.

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

A few notes on teaching this unit

Teach coin recognition by starting with the most visually distinct coin, like the 5c, to build confidence. Use real coins rather than pictures to avoid confusion with size or colour distortions. Avoid teaching values in isolation; always connect coins to real-life exchanges, such as pretend buying and selling. Research shows that tactile experiences strengthen memory, so prioritize sorting and handling over worksheets at this stage.

By the end of the activities, students will confidently identify 1c, 2c, and 5c coins by appearance and value. They will compare amounts and combine coins in simple totals, showing early number sense with money.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Sorting Centre, watch for students who group coins by size only, ignoring value.

  Ask them to place the 2c coin next to the 5c coin and compare values by counting aloud together. Use the edge designs as another cue, noting that 5c has a smooth edge while 2c is milled.

• During Role-Play Shop, watch for students who treat all coins as equal in value.

  Prompt them to name each coin’s value aloud as they hand it over, and have the shopkeeper respond with the total amount received to reinforce differences.

• During Comparing Pairs, watch for students who assume the larger coin is always worth more.

  Use the coin line-up activity to physically order coins by value, not size, and have students explain why 2c is larger but worth less than 5c.

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Methods used in this brief

• Role Play