Money Percentages

Overview

In this lesson, students practise calculating 10%, 25%, and 50% of dollar amounts. They use visual charts and hands-on methods to connect percentages to fair sharing and money contexts.

Learning intentions

• WALT calculate 10%, 25%, and 50% of dollar amounts.
• WALT explain how a percentage result is found using charts and money strategies.
• WALT check answers for reasonableness in a money context.

Success criteria

• I can correctly find 10%, 25%, and 50% of a given dollar amount.
• I can show my thinking using a chart, number sentence, or money model.
• I can estimate and check whether my answer makes sense.
• I can write a clear explanation for how the percentage was calculated.

Curriculum links

• Number and algebra: using fractions, decimals, and percentages in practical contexts.
• Problem solving and reasoning: selecting strategies, explaining thinking, and checking solutions.
• Achievement objectives focus: develop efficient strategies for whole-number calculations and extend to percentage ideas in everyday situations.

Lesson structure (30 minutes)

1. 2 minutes – Hook with money (quick talk)

• Show three price cards: $20, $32, and $48. Ask: “What is 50% of $20? What about 10%?”
• Listen for student strategies (doubling/halving, “move one place” thinking, or visual reasoning).

2. 6 minutes – Teach: percentage charts for money

• Introduce a simple percentage chart for $1 to $100, highlighting the three targets: 10%, 25%, 50%.
• Model with one amount at the board:
• For 10%: “10% is one tenth, so $48 → $4.80.”
• For 25%: “25% is a quarter, so $32 → $8.”
• For 50%: “50% is half, so $20 → $10.”
• Emphasise that students can use the chart to find the “whole to part” link.

3. 8 minutes – Guided practice: hands-on money moves

• Give each pair a small set of play-money cards (or paper “coins”) and a mini chart (printed or projected).
• Students complete three teacher-led prompts, recording:
• 10% of $60
• 25% of $28
• 50% of $44
• Circulate and prompt: “How do you know? Which part is the 10%/25%/50%?”

4. 6 minutes – Independent practice: calculation and checking

• Students choose one pathway of questions (still targeted to 10%, 25%, 50%):
• Path A: 6 calculation questions (straight percentages).
• Path B: 4 calculation questions plus a “check” question (estimate first, then calculate).
• Students show at least one method (chart, number sentence, or money model) and write a short reason.

5. 4 minutes – Share and consolidate strategies

• Invite 3–4 students to share different methods for the same type of problem (especially where numbers don’t divide evenly).
• Reinforce key reasoning: “10% is one tenth”, “25% is a quarter”, “50% is half”, and “we can check using estimation”.

6. 4 minutes – Quick exit ticket (formative)

• Students complete:
• 10% of $35
• 25% of $20
• 50% of $18
• Collect to spot who needs the chart scaffold most.

Resources

• Percentage chart (10%, 25%, 50% highlighted) for $10/$20/$50 ranges as needed
• Play-money cards (paper coins/notes) and blank “money model” recording sheets
• Price card slides or printed cards for warm-up
• Student worksheets with Path A and Path B
• Pencil, coloured pencil for highlighting 10%/25%/50% on charts
• Whiteboard markers, projector (optional)
• Exit ticket slips

Assessment

• Teacher observation during guided practice: accuracy and reasoning in money models/charts.
• Worksheet monitoring: whether students use an appropriate strategy and check reasonableness.
• Exit ticket results: identify misconceptions (e.g., mixing 10% and 25%, or incorrect halving).

Differentiation

• Support:
• Provide a larger, labelled chart and a partially completed example table (e.g., show 10% column for multiples of 10).
• Allow using a money model first, then transitioning to calculations.
• Offer fewer questions and focus on accuracy for the three percentages only.
• For students needing structure:
• Sentence starters: “10% means one tenth, so…” and “25% means a quarter, so…”.
• Provide a “check step” prompt: “Is it bigger or smaller than the original? Roughly what should it be?”
• Extension (for advanced learners within this lesson):
• Add a mixed-number challenge: “Find 10% of $17, 25% of $36, and 50% of $23.”
• Ask students to invent two similar problems and swap with a partner to solve and check.
• EAL/SEN:
• Use visual steps (chart → model → calculation) and keep language consistent.
• Pre-teach key words: tenth, quarter, half, percentage, total, part, amount.
• Provide bilingual support if available, and allow oral explanations before written work.

Extension (optional)

• Investigate sales prices by applying percentage discounts to various items.
• Students choose 3 items with marked prices (e.g., $24, $45, $60) and calculate discount amounts for 10%, 25%, and 50%.
• Record: original price, discount amount, sale price, and a one-sentence check (“My answer should be about…”).
• Encourage using the percentage chart to guide calculations and verifying with estimation.