Can You Buy That?

Grade: 2nd

Content Area: Math

TEKS:

§111.4.(b) (5)

(A)  determine the value of a collection of coins up to one dollar

Website:

http://www.gpb.org/countonit/games/second/money

Summary:

This is a website I found that gives students the opportunity to use their understanding of the value of coins to “purchase” items that cost up to a dollar. This game is highly interactive and easily navigable and can be an influential asset in a second grade classroom. Students are given a grid displaying different items to be purchased including bananas, pizza, ice cram and more. To begin the game, the student is given an item they are to purchase for a specific cost, for example the banana, and then are challenged to drag the correct amount of coins to the corresponding item on the grid. Through the game the students are able to use their knowledge of the value of coins to purchase the item given.

Instructional Use:

I believe this game can be a great asset in reinforcing math skills in the classroom. After teaching the lesson on the value of coins, I will allow my students to partake in playing this game to practice their understanding of the value of coins. Because we only have a limited number of computers in the classroom not all of my students will be able to play the game at the same time. Thus, while the majority of the class is working in groups to complete worksheets asking questions about the value of coins, I will allow 4 students to use the computers and play the game. This game can also be played during lull time throughout the day. I will also make the computers available for this game to be played during daily 5 to engage the students in reinforcing coin concepts even when we are not working on our math lesson. This game, coupled with explicit instruction as well as inquiry based engaging exploration, can be a great asset in reinforcing monetary concepts in the classroom.

4 thoughts on “Can You Buy That?”

  1. Kaitlin,
    This game seems to be really interactive and a great reinforcement for a math lesson in coins. It would be a great game for struggling students who are not able to grasp the concept of coins, as well as basic arithmetic. I didn’t really see if there was a way to change the difficulty level for the range of students in the classroom. That would be the only thing that would hold me back from using this in my classroom on a regular basis. But like you said in your instructional use this would be a great educational game for students to play with during free time.

    Thanks for sharing!
    B.L

  2. Kaitlin,
    I love this game for students! It is educational, practical and interactive. I think your plan to use this will work great and it can also act like a reinforcer for students. Good Job!
    Thanks,
    SG

  3. I would like to point out how effectively thought about your goal for understanding and then found a technological resource to help your students achieve that goal you chose. I also think you did well to determine how you could use this resource in your classroom, pointing out that there may be difficulties, but ultimately the tool would be helpful. I think you have a tool that would be a great accessory for students to get extra practice once they have learned about these concepts. I would like to have seen a little more on how you would measure comprehension of the actual game. What are students learning about having all of those choices of coins, and making their particular combinations? What do they understand about the concept of using money for purchasing items? finding out how you will measure this kind of comprehension, I believe, will better help you understand if this type of program is really working effectively. I think what you have done is great, and you are really making good connections between what students are learning and how they can use it in the real world. I would encourage you to keep asking these questions and keep up the hard work and great thinking!

  4. I would like to point out how effectively you thought about your goal for understanding and then found a technological resource to help your students achieve that goal you chose. I also think you did well to determine how you could use this resource in your classroom, pointing out that there may be difficulties, but ultimately the tool would be helpful. I think you have a tool that would be a great accessory for students to get extra practice once they have learned about these concepts. I would like to have seen a little more on how you would measure comprehension of the actual game. What are students learning about having all of those choices of coins, and making their particular combinations? What do they understand about the concept of using money for purchasing items? finding out how you will measure this kind of comprehension, I believe, will better help you understand if this type of program is really working effectively. I think what you have done is great, and you are really making good connections between what students are learning and how they can use it in the real world. I would encourage you to keep asking these questions and keep up the hard work and great thinking!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *