Decimals and Money

Overview

This 60-minute lesson is the first in a three-lesson unit titled "Money Matters: Decimals and Change" designed for Year 3 students. The lesson focuses on developing a deep understanding of place value through the context of UK currency, helping students relate decimal notation to everyday money amounts.

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National Curriculum Alignment

Mathematics Programme of Study: Year 3 (Number – Fractions and Decimals & Measurement – Money)

• Number – Fractions and Decimals
  • Recognise that tenths arise from dividing an object into 10 equal parts and in dividing one-digit numbers or quantities by 10.
  • Understand and use decimals as fractional parts and sums of tenths and hundredths.
• Measurement – Money
  • Add and subtract amounts of money to give change, using both £ and p in practical contexts.
• Number – Number and Place Value
  • Recognise the place value of each digit in a three-digit number (hundreds, tens, ones).
  • Recognise the place value of decimals in tenths and hundredths, linked to money notation.

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Learning Objectives

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

1. Identify the values of different UK coins and notes and express these in decimal form (e.g., £1.20).
2. Recognise the place value of digits in decimal numbers related to money, specifically units and tenths (pence).
3. Work collaboratively to create and solve simple money problems involving decimals.
4. Represent amounts of money using decimal notation accurately.

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Resources Needed

• Real or replica UK coins and notes (1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1, £2, £5, £10).
• Whiteboards and markers for pairs.
• Place value charts showing pounds and pence columns (e.g., £ | 1 | . | 2 0).
• Pre-prepared money problem cards (optional).
• Visual decimal money flashcards.
• Interactive digital or physical place value slider (if available).
• Worksheet for independent or paired practice.

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

• Begin with a brief interactive discussion: Ask the class what coins and notes they know and use every day. Display physical coins and notes to the class.
• Recap the place value of whole numbers (hundreds, tens, ones). Introduce the decimal point as the separator between pounds (£) and pence (p).
• Demonstrate a few examples of money amounts and how they are written decimally, e.g., £3.40 = 3 pounds and 40 pence.

2. Main Activity 1: Interactive Place Value Exploration (15 minutes)

• Split the class into pairs. Give each pair various UK coins and small notes.
• Ask pairs to select coins to make amounts under £10, then write these amounts on whiteboards in decimal form (e.g., £2.35).
• Use place value charts to visually place each digit in pounds and pence columns to reinforce decimal understanding and place value.
• Circulate and support pairs, asking probing questions: "What does the digit 3 mean in £2.35?"
• Emphasise the relationship between the digits after the decimal point and pence (tenths and hundredths).

3. Main Activity 2: Creating Money Problems (15 minutes)

• Tell students to remain in pairs and create two money-related problems for another pair to solve.
• Examples: "If you have £1.50 and spend 70p, how much do you have left?" or "Add £2.30 and £3.40 together." Encourage use of decimal notation.
• Pairs write their problems clearly on mini whiteboards or paper, including the decimal format.
• Circulate and ensure problems are realistic and accurately use decimal place value.

4. Problem Swap and Solve (10 minutes)

• Pairs exchange their created problems with another pair.
• Each pair solves the new problems, writing their answers in decimal money form.
• Review as a class some examples, focusing on correct decimal placement and understanding.

5. Plenary and Assessment (10 minutes)

• Conduct a quick quiz or flashcard game: Show a coin or note, ask students to shout out the decimal value.
• Ask some pupils to explain aloud how decimals represent money values, emphasising tenths and hundredths.
• Collect whiteboards/worksheets for informal assessment of understanding.
• Reflect with a short Q&A: “What helped you understand decimals today?” / “What was tricky?”

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Differentiation

• Support: Provide place value charts and number lines to students who struggle, and give simpler sums with whole pounds and tens of pence first.
• Challenge: Encourage some pupils to include hundredths (e.g., recognising 1p = £0.01) or create three-step problems involving addition and subtraction in decimals.

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Assessment and Feedback

• Use observations during pair work and problem creation to assess understanding of decimal notation of money.
• Review the accuracy of decimal representations on written problems.
• Listen for correct use of vocabulary such as “decimal point”, “tenths”, “pence”, and “pounds”.
• Exit ticket: Each student writes or verbalises one way decimal place value relates to money.

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Extension Ideas

• Introduce simple change-making activities with decimal sums in subsequent lessons.
• Use an online money place value game or app for reinforcement at home.
• Create a class shop with prices in decimals for role-playing buying/selling activities.

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Aimed to provide concrete and visual learning experiences with real-life contexts, this lesson fully embeds Year 3 National Curriculum requirements for Number and Money under the umbrella of decimals and place value.