Math lesson plan · 3rd grade (Year 4 in England) · 45 minutes
Add money and give change
Measurement
CCSS 2.MD.C.8England: Y3 Measurement
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Add money and give change.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Money: count and solve problems
Leads to: Money problems with several steps
Materials: Rulers, scales and measuring jugs, Clock faces, Conversion chart, Mini whiteboards and pens, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 5 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Money: count and solve problems). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Ana buys a sticker book for 83¢ and pays with $1. How much change does Ana get, in cents? (Type the number only.) → 17Prompt: Change is what you paid minus the price.
- Jamal buys a sandwich for $4.46 and a drink for $1.64. What is the total cost? Type the amount like 4.75. → 6.1Prompt: Add the whole units, then the cents (or pence).
- Isla buys a sticker book for 57¢ and pays with $1. How much change does Isla get, in cents? (Type the number only.) → 43Prompt: Change is what you paid minus the price.
Hook · 5 min
- Ask the class to estimate the length of the room or the weight of a bag before measuring it.
- Share the objective: Add money and give change. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 10 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Luis buys a toy for $1.85 and pays with $5. How much change is given? (Answer in cents.)
- Step 1: $5 − $1.85 = $3.15
- Step 2: 315¢
- Answer: 315
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 10 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Zara buys a toy for $3.80 and pays with $5. How much change is given? (Answer in cents.) → 120Prompt: Count up from the price to the next whole amount.
- A sandwich costs $7.85 and a drink costs $7.55. What is the total cost? → 15.4Prompt: Add the whole units, then the pence or cents.
You do: independent practice · 10 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 5 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Arjun buys a toy for $3 and pays with $5. How much change is given? (Answer in cents.) → 200Prompt: Count up from the price to the next whole amount.
- A sandwich costs $2.15 and a drink costs $8.40. What is the total cost? → 10.55Prompt: Add the whole units, then the pence or cents.
Watch out for
- Measuring from the end of the ruler instead of zero.
- Converting units the wrong way (multiplying instead of dividing).
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Money: count and solve problems.
- Use concrete materials: rulers, scales and measuring jugs.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Move on to: Money problems with several steps.
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/math/grade-3.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder