Jamaican Money Market

Grade Level

4th Grade

Duration

15 minutes

Common Core State Standards (CCSS)

Mathematics - Grade 4

• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NBT.B.4: Fluently add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm.
• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NF.B.3: Understand a fraction a/b with a > 1 as a sum of fractions 1/b.
• CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP1: Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
• CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP6: Attend to precision.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this activity, students will be able to:

• Add multiple prices to find total cost using Jamaican dollars.
• Calculate change accurately when given a certain amount of money.
• Use play money to simulate real-world buying and selling scenarios, reinforcing money sense.
• Develop problem-solving skills by determining how much money is needed or should be returned.

Materials

• Play money in Jamaican dollars (notes and coins; denominations like J$1, J$5, J$10, J$20, J$50, J$100)
• Item cards with pictures and prices in Jamaican dollars (e.g., fruit, snacks, toys)
• Small tables arranged as market stalls
• Worksheets for quick calculations (optional for assessment)
• Whiteboard or chart paper for demonstration

Preparation

• Create price tags/cards for about 10-12 common items that are appealing and appropriate for 4th graders.
• Print or craft play money with clear denominations visible.
• Arrange desks/tables to resemble a marketplace, with 3-4 “seller” stations and space for buyers.

Lesson Flow

1. Introduction (3 minutes)

• Begin by introducing Jamaican currency briefly (Jamaican dollars - J$), showing examples of bills and coins. Highlight key denominations.
• Explain that today, students will practice adding prices and making change by buying and selling items in a mock Jamaican market.
• Refer explicitly to their current math skills: adding numbers and subtracting to find change (align with CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NBT.B.4).

2. Guided Demonstration (3 minutes)

• Teacher models a transaction:
  • Select an item card with a price (e.g., J$35).
  • The “buyer” has J$50 in play money.
  • Teacher walks through adding the price, handing over money, subtracting price from amount given to find change (J$15).
  • Write the calculation on the whiteboard, emphasizing place value and accuracy (MP6).
• Ask a few quick questions: “If you gave J$100 for an item that costs J$65, how much change will you get?”
• Encourage students to think aloud (MP1).

3. Mock Market Activity (7 minutes)

• Split students into pairs or groups of three (one can be the seller, two buyers rotate).
• Each “seller” has 3-4 item cards with prices. Buyers have J$100 in play money.
• Buyers choose items to “purchase” by adding prices; sellers calculate total prices and give change appropriately.
• Teachers and assistants circulate to guide, check calculations, and prompt students using questions like: “How much money do you have? What is the total cost? How much change will you get?”
• Encourage students to work together to verify their additions and subtractions before completing a purchase.

4. Wrap-Up and Reflection (2 minutes)

• Gather students back and ask a few to share their experience: “What strategy helped you add prices quickly? How did you figure out the change?”
• Reinforce the importance of checking work for accuracy and using math outside the classroom.
• Optionally, give a quick exit question such as: “If you want to buy two items that cost J$25 and J$30, and you have J$60, will you have enough money? How much will you need or get back?”

Assessment

• Informal observation during the market activity to check students’ accuracy adding prices and making change.
• Listen for correct use of math vocabulary and place value understanding.
• Exit question during wrap-up for individual quick check.

Extensions and Differentiation

• For advanced students: Introduce fractions, e.g., calculating half price or combining fractional prices (CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NF.B.3).
• For students needing support: Provide simpler price cards (e.g., multiples of 10) and use number lines for help with subtraction.
• Digital option: Use classroom tablets or computers with a virtual money market app if available to connect tech with numeracy.

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This engaging mock market activity not only aligns with Common Core standards on addition and subtraction but also empowers students with real-world money skills and sharpens their numeracy. The interactive setup keeps the brief lesson highly dynamic, maximizing student participation within a tight 15-minute window.