Six-Week Lesson Plan on Money for SEN Class in Reception/Kindergarten
Introduction
Teaching young children about money is not only essential for their numerical development but also for fostering independence and practical life skills. This six-week lesson plan focuses on integrating mathematical concepts related to money for a Special Educational Needs (SEN) class in Reception/Kindergarten. The plan aims to create a multisensory learning experience that caters to various developmental needs and learning styles. Each week will build upon the last, ensuring a structured progression of skills.
Week 1: Introduction to Money
Objectives:
- Introduce coins and notes.
- Recognise different denominations.
Activities:
- Story Time: Read a story that involves money (e.g. “Bunny Money” by Rosemary Wells).
- Show and Tell: Bring in real coins for children to handle; encourage them to describe what they see.
- Coin Sorting: Provide different coins and have children sort them into groups based on denomination.
- Creative Art: Use paper plates to create ‘money plates’, where children can stick or draw different denominations.
Assessment:
- Observe children’s ability to sort coins and engage in discussions about them.
Week 2: Identifying Values
Objectives:
- Understand the value of each coin.
- Compare and contrast different denominations.
Activities:
- Value Matching: Create cards with images of coins alongside cards with their monetary values for matching.
- Value Estimation: Use jars filled with coins of various denominations. Children estimate how many coins are in each jar.
- Sensory Play: Set up a small ’market’ area with play food and price tags. Children will ‘buy’ items using play money.
Assessment:
- Conduct informal assessments through observations during the market activity, checking if children understand which coins to use.
Week 3: Simple Transactions
Objectives:
- Recognise simple transactions.
- Understand the concept of buying and selling.
Activities:
- Role-Playing: Set up a pretend shop where children can buy and sell items using play money.
- Price Tags: Assign different prices to various classroom items; discuss which coins to use for different items.
- Counting Coins: Practice counting coins through interactive games on a smartboard or tablet.
Assessment:
- Assess children's ability to select the correct coins in the role-playing activity.
Week 4: Addition with Money
Objectives:
- Use addition to find total costs.
- Solve simple money-related problems.
Activities:
- Money Bingo: Create bingo cards with different amounts of money; call out different monetary values.
- Shopkeeper Game: One child acts as a shopkeeper, and others can create simple addition problems based on the costs of items.
- Art Integration: Create a simple addition worksheet with pictures of coins and ask children to draw lines to add totals.
Assessment:
- Check completed worksheets for understanding of addition.
Week 5: Money in Real Life
Objectives:
- Explore the use of money in everyday life.
- Discuss saving and spending.
Activities:
- Talking about Saving: Lead a discussion on saving versus spending; introduce the idea of a piggy bank.
- Field Trip: If feasible, take students to a local shop to see how money is used in real life.
- Create a Savings Plan: Using paper piggy banks, have children decorate and discuss what they would like to save for.
Assessment:
- Evaluate children's participation in discussions about saving and spending.
Week 6: Review and Consolidation
Objectives:
- Reinforce all concepts learned over the past weeks.
- Prepare for an end-of-unit showcase.
Activities:
- Showcase: Allow children to display their artworks and projects related to money, explaining what they learned.
- Group Games: Play review games that incorporate all concepts from previous lessons (e.g., memory match with coins, a quiz on values).
- Parental Involvement: Invite parents to participate in a fun day where children can demonstrate their money skills.
Assessment:
- Use a combination of observation and feedback from parents to assess understanding and engagement during the showcase.
Conclusion
This six-week lesson plan serves as a comprehensive framework to introduce young children in SEN classes to the basics of money through engaging and relevant activities. By using multisensory approaches, varied teaching styles, and real-life applications, educators can foster an enriching environment that motivates children to learn and understand the value of money effortlessly.