Making Change

Overview

This 60-minute session is designed for Year 2 students to explore the concept of giving change in a practical context, aligned with the National Curriculum for England. The lesson focuses on developing pupils’ confidence with recognising coins, simple subtraction, and understanding that change is the difference between the amount paid and the cost.

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National Curriculum Links

Mathematics – Year 2: Money
Pupils should be taught to:

• Solve simple problems involving addition and subtraction of money in pounds and pence, including giving change (NC Programme of Study, Year 2 Maths, Number – Addition and Subtraction).
• Recognise and use symbols for pounds (£) and pence (p); combine amounts to make a particular value.

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Learning Objectives

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

• Calculate the correct change from a given amount up to £1.
• Use subtraction to find the difference between the money given and the cost.
• Use appropriate vocabulary to explain how they worked out the change.

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Success Criteria

• I can identify the total cost and the amount given.
• I can subtract to find the difference (change).
• I can use key vocabulary such as “change”, “cost”, “coins”, and “pence”.
• I can explain how I worked out the change.

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Key Vocabulary (Vocabulary Mat Widget)

Word	Definition	Visual Aid
Change	Money given back when paid too much	Image of coins
Cost	How much something is worth	Price label
Pence (p)	Unit of money smaller than a pound	Coin pictures
Subtract	To take one number away from another	Number line showing subtraction
Total	The overall amount	Sum of coins

(Use this vocabulary mat as a widget on desks or interactive whiteboard for constant visual support.)

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Resources

• Real or play coins (£1, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, 1p)
• Small “shop” items with price tags (toys, food models, stationery)
• Worksheets with money problems involving giving change
• Number lines and subtraction resources
• Vocabulary mat widgets printed or displayed digitally
• Whiteboard, pens, and tablets (optional for activity extension)

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Lesson Breakdown

Introduction (10 minutes)

1. Engage: Start by discussing where pupils see and use money (shops, markets, home). Use real coins to familiarise pupils.
2. Demonstrate: Show a simple transaction. Example: “This toy costs 35p, you give me 50p — how much change do you get?” Use a number line to count back from 50p to 35p.
3. Introduce Vocabulary Mat Widget: Display vocabulary mat widget and talk through key terms.

Main Activity (35 minutes)

1. Guided Practice (15 mins)

   • Pupils use play coins to buy items from the “shop”.
   • In pairs, each child takes turns to “pay” and calculate the change.
   • Use number lines and subtraction vocab to record answers on mini whiteboards or worksheets.
   • Teacher circulates, supports with subtraction strategies and vocabulary.

2. Independent Work (20 mins)

   • Pupils complete a worksheet with 6–8 questions involving finding change for varying prices and amounts given.
   • Encourage use of vocabulary mats when discussing answers.
   • Option to use tablets with simple money/interactive subtraction apps for early finishers.

Plenary (15 minutes)

1. Sharing & Discussion: Invite some pupils to explain how they found the change using vocabulary from the mat (e.g., “I subtracted 40p from 50p to get 10p change.”).
2. Formative Assessment: Quick quiz or thumbs up/down to check understanding of key concepts and vocabulary.
3. Recap: Review success criteria together and celebrate learning.

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Differentiation Strategies

Learner Type	Strategies
Lower Attaining	Use concrete manipulatives (real coins), smaller numbers, 1:1 or paired support, visual number lines, and sentence starters from vocabulary mats.
Higher Attaining	Introduce change beyond £1 (e.g., £1.20), challenge with word problems or multi-step calculations. Use reasoning prompts: “Explain why your answer is correct.”
EAL/Bilingual	Use picture cues from vocabulary mat, paired talk with sentence stems, role-play buying scenarios, and repetition of key terms.
SEND	Provide extra time, tactile coins, simplified choices in worksheets, use of technology (tablet apps), and adult support when recording answers.

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Assessment Ideas

• Formative: Observation during paired and independent activities; listen for correct use of vocabulary and accurate subtraction strategies.
• Summative: Completed worksheets marked with focus on accuracy of change calculation.
• Peer Assessment: Pupil pairs check each other’s answers using vocabulary mats support.
• Verbal Assessment: Plenary explanations judged on clarity, vocabulary use, and conceptual understanding.

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Extensions/Home Learning Ideas

• Create a “mini shop” at home and practise buying and giving change with family members.
• Design a poster showing key vocabulary and steps to find change.
• Use household items to practise coin recognition and simple subtraction games.

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This lesson plan combines practical learning with clear curriculum targets, visual supports and intelligent scaffolding ensuring all Year 2 pupils engage successfully with the concept of giving change.