1 · The four coins
A penny is 1¢. A nickel is 5¢. A dime is 10¢. A quarter is 25¢.
The dime is the smallest coin, but it is worth more than a penny or a nickel. Its value comes from which coin it is.
2 · Counting pennies and nickels
Pennies: count by 1s. 4 pennies = 4¢. Nickels: count by 5s. 3 nickels: 5, 10, 15¢.
3 · Counting dimes and quarters
Dimes: count by 10s. 5 dimes: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50¢. Quarters: count by 25s. 2 quarters: 25, 50¢.
So 5 dimes and 2 quarters are worth the same!
4 · Mixed coins: biggest first
Different coins? Start with the biggest and count on. A dime, a nickel, and 2 pennies: 10, 15, 16, 17¢.
5 dimes and 3 pennies: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 51, 52, 53¢.
5 · Which is worth more?
3 dimes or 3 nickels? Same number of coins, but dimes are worth more each. 3 dimes = 30¢, 3 nickels = 15¢. 3 dimes win.
Always count what the coins are worth. 1 quarter (25¢) is worth more than 4 nickels (20¢).
6 · One dollar
100¢ = $1.00, one dollar. 4 quarters make a dollar. So do 10 dimes, or 20 nickels.
The dot separates dollars from cents: $1.25 is 1 dollar and 25 cents.
7 · Bills
Paper money: $1, $5, $10, $20. Count bills biggest first too: $10 + $5 + $1 = $16.
8 · Buying two things
A sticker is 20¢ and a pencil is 25¢. Together: 20 + 25 = 45¢. Add the prices.
9 · Change from a dollar
A toy costs 45¢ and you pay with $1.00. Your change is what comes back. Count up from 45 to 100.
45 → 50 is a nickel (5¢). 50 → 100 is 2 quarters (50¢). Change: 5 + 50 = 55¢.
10 · Do you have enough?
Count your money, then compare to the price. You have 3 dimes and a nickel (35¢). Gum costs 30¢. 35 is more than 30, so yes, with 5¢ left.
A ball costs 60¢. 35 is less than 60, so not yet. You need 25¢ more.
11 · Making an amount
There is more than one way to make 15¢: a dime and a nickel, or 3 nickels, or 15 pennies.
The fewest coins uses the biggest coins that fit: 15¢ = dime + nickel, just 2 coins.
12 · Money stories
"Ella spends 20¢ on a sticker and 25¢ on a pencil. How much did she spend?" Add: 45¢.
"Leo had 50¢ and spent 20¢. How much is left?" Subtract: 30¢. Read the story, pick add or subtract, then count carefully.
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