Exploring Australian Currency

Overview

This 10-minute lesson is designed for Foundation year students in Australia to introduce them to Australian currency. Guided by the Australian Curriculum (v9), the lesson focuses on recognising coins and notes, understanding their values, and engaging in a practical activity with play money.

Curriculum Alignment

Learning Area: Mathematics
Year Level: Foundation
Content Description:

• AC9MFN01 - Name, represent, and order numbers including zero to at least 20, using physical and virtual materials and numerals
• AC9M1A01 - Recognise, continue and create pattern sequences, with numbers, symbols, shapes and objects, formed by skip counting, initially by twos, fives and tens (relates to counting coins)
• Foundation elaboration on money: Introduce coins and notes using physical materials; connect quantity names to symbols on Australian currency; sort coins by size and colour (identified in AC9MFST01 and AC9MFN01)

This lesson supports early numeracy and financial literacy development appropriate for Foundation students according to the Australian Curriculum (v9)【7:AC9MFST01.md】【8:AC9MFN01.md】【10:AC9M1A01.md】.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Recognise and name common Australian coins ($1, $2, 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c) and notes ($5, $10) through physical examination.
2. Understand that Australian currency has different values and physical appearances (size, colour, shape).
3. Sort Australian coins and notes by size, colour, or value.
4. Participate in a short activity using play money to match coins or notes to amounts.

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Materials Needed

• A set of Australian play money coins and notes (one set per 3 students ideally) including: $5, $10 notes, and coins: 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1, $2
• Large printed images of Australian coins and notes for visual support
• Sorting trays or mats labelled with “Small Coins”, “Big Coins”, “Notes”
• Whiteboard and marker for teacher demonstrations

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (2 minutes)

• Begin by showing real or play Australian coins and notes to the whole class.
• Ask: "Have you seen these before? What do you think they are?"
• Briefly name the coins and notes aloud, emphasizing the value and colour differences.
• Relate that Australians use these to buy things, linking to familiar contexts (e.g., buying a snack).

2. Guided Exploration (3 minutes)

• Distribute sets of play money coins and notes to small groups (3 students each).
• Ask the students to sort the coins and notes into the trays or mats: “small coins,” “big coins,” and “notes.”
• Circulate, guiding students to name each coin or note while sorting.
• Introduce simple counting by grouping coins of the same denomination (e.g., “How many 10c coins do you have?”).

3. Hands-on Activity (4 minutes)

• Teacher models a simple buy and pay scenario: e.g., "If an apple costs 5c, which coin could we use to pay?"
• Students use the play money to pick the right coin(s) to pay for a small item price shown by the teacher (using pictures—e.g., 10c for a sticker, $1 for a toy car).
• Encourage students to count the coins if multiple coins are needed.
• Rotate through different prices ($5, 10c, 20c) suitable for their familiarity.

4. Conclusion and Reflection (1 minute)

• Gather students and ask them to share one thing they learned about Australian money today.
• Recap the names and values of the coins and notes they used.
• Reinforce that coins and notes are used to buy things and that different coins have different values.

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Assessment

Formative assessment through:

• Observation of students’ ability to recognise and sort coins and notes correctly.
• Listening to students explain coin names or match coins to prices during the pay activity.
• Informal Q&A during the conclusion reflecting understanding of currency values.

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Extension Ideas

• Use counting songs with coins (skip count by 5s and 10s with 5c and 10c coins) as suggested in AC9M1A01_E1.
• Storytime: Read a simple story involving buying items to reinforce the money concept.
• Introduce a simple chart for students to track the coins they have sorted or “purchased.”

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This lesson plan integrates physical, visual, and oral learning modes appropriate for Foundation students and aligns closely with the Australian Curriculum (v9) mathematics content for early financial literacy and number recognition through money【7:AC9MFST01.md】【8:AC9MFN01.md】【10:AC9M1A01.md】.