Recognising Coin Combinations

Lesson Overview

• Subject: Maths
• Year Group: Year 2
• Lesson Duration: 20 minutes
• Class Size: 29 students
• Curriculum Area: Number – Money (UK National Curriculum for Mathematics, Key Stage 1)

Learning Objective

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• Recognise different UK coins and their values.
• Identify various ways to make the same amount using different coin combinations.

Resources Needed

• Real or plastic UK coins (£1, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, 1p).
• Printed coin visuals for students to hold up.
• Small whiteboards and markers.

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction – Coin Identification (4 minutes)

Objective: Ensure students recognise and can name UK coins.

• Hold up different UK coins one at a time and ask: "What coin is this?" "How much is it worth?"
• Use questioning:
  • "Can anyone find a coin worth more than this one?"
  • "Which coin is worth half of this one?"
• Briefly discuss the size, shape, and colour of UK coins.

2. Coin Combinations Game (8 minutes)

Objective: Students will explore different ways to make the same amount using coins.

• Set the challenge: “Can you find two different ways to make 20p?”
• Activity:
  • Hand out UK coin visuals or real coins to students in small groups.
  • Ask them to use their coins to find multiple ways to make 20p (e.g., two 10p coins, four 5p coins, or a 10p, 5p, and two 2p coins).
  • Students record their answers on mini whiteboards.
  • Choose a few students to share different combinations with the class.

3. Quickfire Coin Combinations (5 minutes)

Objective: Reinforce learning with a fast-paced group challenge.

• Call out an amount (e.g., "Make 30p using three coins!").
• Students work in pairs to create the amount in different ways.
• Have students hold up their coins once they find a combination.
• Take a moment to discuss creative or unexpected solutions.

4. Conclusion & Reflection (3 minutes)

• Ask: “What did we learn about making amounts with different coins?”
• Students share one new thing they learned or a creative coin combination they used.
• Challenge them: “Tonight, ask someone at home if you can look at different coins and see if you can find your own combinations to make 50p!”

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Differentiation & Support

• For students needing support: Use coin visuals and practise with smaller values first (e.g., making 10p instead of 20p).
• For students needing challenge: Ask them to explore three different ways to make 50p or £1 using at least three coins.

Assessment

• Informal observation during activities.
• Check students’ whiteboards for a range of correct coin combinations.
• Listen to discussion responses in the reflection.

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Teacher’s Reflection (Post-Lesson)

• Which students grasped the concept easily? Who needed support?
• Did the pace of the lesson suit all students?
• Were students able to explain their reasoning when creating different combinations?
• What could be improved for next time?

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This lesson is designed to engage and excite Year 2 learners, using hands-on activities and fast-paced challenges while building their confidence with UK currency. 💰✨