Submitted by Sandy Elder, Michigan
Idea posted September 20, 2001
I adapted the penny game to teach money-values. Here's how:
K/1st grades.
Materials: penny, nickel, dime, quarter, dollar.
Show and identify each one. What do they look like? How thick? Pictures? Value?
(Begin game with only 2 coins and dollar. Add others later and play game again with all)
Kids cover eyes with one hand and hold the other out.
Teacher gives money to kids.
All hold fists together in front as if all are hiding money.
Close eyes.
Song:
Teacher: Who has the penny (s m-l s m, or whatever)
Penny kid: I have the penny (matching teacher's voice)
All kids try to guess.
Play again for the other coins/dollar.
I love to use this game with Skittles to work on color recognition with my K's! Then they can eat it after we guess. HINT: have them put the candy on the carpet between their legs. NOT holding in hand!