Counting money

This is the first of two lesson plans belonging to our financial literacy content for ages 5-7 designed to teach children about money.

There is a mix of resource types including an animation and an activity book which align to the Young Money Financial Education Planning Framework and have been awarded the Young Money Quality Mark.

This lesson features in the financial education scheme of learning for 5-11 year olds. A ready-made sequence of curriculum linked resources to help you build progression in your learners' knowledge over time. Visit the Scheme of learning home page to find out more.

This Counting money lesson provides a foundation for learning the basics of counting money, budgeting and understanding the difference between needs and wants when it comes to making purchases. Through a short animation, pupils will be introduced to the character Anika, who will set the scene for the activity.

Resources

• Counting money: Lesson plan - for use with a group of pupils in the classroom
• Counting money: Presentation slides - to display to pupils and use alongside the lesson plan
• Counting money: Animation – to show to pupils and use alongside the lesson plan
• Counting money and Using money for shopping: activity book - for pupils to use during the activity
• Counting money and Using money for shopping cut out template – materials to print and use in the classroom

Lesson learning outcomes

By the end of the lesson pupils will be able to:

• Count physical money using paper coins and notes
• Create a basic budget
• Identify the difference between a need and a want

They address key topics and also develop pupils’ core transferable skills such as problem solving and communication. 

If you want to increase your own confidence to teach young people about money, Young Money provide free e-learning training to teachers across Primary and Secondary education. In addition, National Numeracy has a free website which helps you practise and refresh your everyday maths skills.