Lesson Plan
Lesson Plan
Students will learn to count bills and coins, make correct change for simple transactions up to $20, and record their purchases to build real-world financial independence.
Mastering everyday money skills empowers 18–22 transition students to handle purchases confidently, improving independence and readiness for community life.
Audience
Transition-Age Adults (18–22)
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Hands-on practice with realistic money scenarios
Prep
Review and Print Materials
5 minutes
- Print enough sets of Printable Fake Money Bills for each student or pair
- Make copies of the Change-Making Practice Worksheet and Transaction Recording Template
- Cut and shuffle the Real-World Spending Scenario Cards
- Familiarize yourself with all materials and example transactions
Step 1
Introduction to Money Values
5 minutes
- Hold up various fake bills and coins from the Printable Fake Money Bills
- Review the value of each coin and bill with the class
- Ask students to identify the value when you show a random bill or coin
Step 2
Guided Change-Making Demo
10 minutes
- Present a purchase scenario using a Real-World Spending Scenario Cards
- Model counting out exact payment and calculating change with the fake money
- Invite a volunteer to replicate the process, guiding them step-by-step
Step 3
Independent Practice
10 minutes
- Distribute the Change-Making Practice Worksheet
- Students use fake money to solve each transaction scenario on the worksheet
- Circulate to support calculations and correct misconceptions
Step 4
Wrap-Up and Recording
5 minutes
- Have students complete one more transaction on the Transaction Recording Template
- Collect templates to assess accuracy of payment, change given, and recording details
- Provide feedback and reinforce counting strategies
Slide Deck
Money Moves 101
Building Everyday Money Skills
Tier 1 Lesson • 30 minutes
Welcome everyone and introduce today’s lesson: Money Moves 101. Explain we’ll focus on real-world money skills in 30 minutes.
Lesson Objectives
- Count bills and coins accurately
- Make correct change up to $20
- Record purchase transactions for future reference
Read through objectives and briefly explain each. Ask students if they’ve had to count money or make change before.
Why These Skills Matter
- Promotes confidence in everyday purchases
- Supports independent community living
- Builds financial responsibility and tracking habits
Discuss why handling money builds independence—getting on the bus, buying groceries, paying for services.
Money Denominations
- Bills: $1, $5, $10, $20
- Coins: Penny (1¢), Nickel (5¢), Dime (10¢), Quarter (25¢)
Hold up each denomination from the Printable Fake Money Bills. Ask volunteers to name the value.
Guided Change-Making Demo
- Draw a spending scenario card
- Count out exact payment with fake money
- Calculate and give correct change
- Student replicates steps
Use a card from Real-World Spending Scenario Cards. Model paying and counting out change, then invite a student volunteer.
Independent Practice
- Solve worksheet scenarios using fake money
- Work independently or in pairs
- Ask for help if stuck
Hand out the Change-Making Practice Worksheet and fake money sets. Encourage teamwork and monitor progress.
Wrap-Up & Recording
- Record item, cost, payment, and change given
- Turn in templates for accuracy check
- Reinforce counting strategies
Distribute the Transaction Recording Template. Have students complete one final transaction, then collect for feedback.
Next Steps & Questions
- Review challenging examples
- Practice with friends or family
- Any questions?
Invite final questions, clarify any confusion, and suggest at-home practice (e.g., tracking real purchases).
Worksheet
Change-Making Practice Worksheet
Instructions: For each purchase scenario below, calculate the change owed and list the combination of bills and coins you would use. Write your answers in the space provided.
- You purchase a coffee for $2.35 and pay with a $5 bill. Calculate your change:
- You buy a sandwich for $4.50 and pay with a $10 bill. Calculate your change:
- You pick up a book that costs $6.80 and pay with a $10 bill. Calculate your change:
- You buy a snack and drink for a total of $3.25 and pay with a $5 bill. Calculate your change:
- You purchase a movie ticket for $7.25 and pay with a $10 bill. Calculate your change:
- You pay $5.75 for shampoo with a $10 bill. Calculate your change:
- You buy a T-shirt for $9.50 and pay with a $20 bill. Calculate your change:
- You purchase a hat for $3.99 and pay with a $5 bill. Calculate your change:
- You buy a magazine for $2.20 and pay with a $5 bill. Calculate your change:
- You purchase a meal for $12.43 and pay with a $20 bill. Calculate your change:
Reading
Printable Fake Money Bills and Coins
Instructions:
- Print this page on cardstock or heavy paper for durability.
- Use scissors to cut along the solid lines on each bill and coin outline.
- Keep your bills and coins organized by denomination for practice in counting and making change.
Dollar Bills
One Dollar Bill ($1)
| |
| $1 BILL |
| |
Five Dollar Bill ($5)
| |
| $5 BILL |
| |
Ten Dollar Bill ($10)
| |
| $10 BILL |
| |
Twenty Dollar Bill ($20)
| |
| $20 BILL |
| |
Coins
Penny (1¢)
| PENNY |
| 1¢ |
Nickel (5¢)
| NICKEL |
| 5¢ |
Dime (10¢)
| DIME |
| 10¢ |
Quarter (25¢)
| QUARTER |
| 25¢ |
After cutting each bill and coin, organize them by denomination in separate piles or envelopes. You now have your own set of printable fake money to use with the Change-Making Practice Worksheet and during role-play in class!
Activity
Real-World Spending Scenario Cards
Instructions: Cut out each scenario card and place them in a stack face down. Draw a card during the guided demo or independent practice. Each card shows an item cost and a payment amount. Use your fake money to pay and calculate the change owed.
Card 1
You buy a bus pass for $2.50 and pay with a $5 bill.
Card 2
You purchase a bottled water for $1.25 and pay with a $5 bill.
Card 3
You grab a cup of coffee for $3.75 and pay with a $5 bill.
Card 4
You buy a snack for $2.15 and pay with a $5 bill.
Card 5
You purchase a magazine for $4.20 and pay with a $10 bill.
Card 6
You buy a sandwich for $6.30 and pay with a $10 bill.
Card 7
You get a slice of pizza for $3.45 and pay with a $5 bill.
Card 8
You purchase a greeting card for $1.99 and pay with a $5 bill.
Card 9
You buy a notebook for $4.60 and pay with a $10 bill.
Card 10
You get a soap bar for $2.85 and pay with a $5 bill.
Card 11
You purchase a pair of socks for $7.50 and pay with a $10 bill.
Card 12
You rent a movie for $3.99 and pay with a $5 bill.
Card 13
You grab a smoothie for $5.25 and pay with a $10 bill.
Card 14
You buy a small potted plant for $8.75 and pay with a $10 bill.
Card 15
You purchase a keychain for $2.40 and pay with a $5 bill.
Activity
Transaction Recording Template
Instructions: Complete one more transaction using your fake money. Fill in each section below to show your work.
1. Item Purchased:
2. Cost of Item: ________ Payment Given: ________
3. Change Owed: ________
4. Bills and Coins Used for Change:
5. Calculation Strategy / Notes:
Answer Key
Answer Key for Change-Making Practice Worksheet
Below are step-by-step solutions for each scenario. Teachers can use these to check student work and review calculation strategies.
1. Coffee: Cost $2.35, Paid $5.00
Step 1: Calculate change owed
$5.00 − $2.35 = $2.65
Step 2: Break down into bills and coins
- Use largest bills first: 2 × $1 bill = $2.00 (Remaining $0.65)
- Next largest coin: quarters (¢25): 2 × 25¢ = $0.50 (Remaining $0.15)
- Next, dime (¢10): 1 × 10¢ = $0.10 (Remaining $0.05)
- Nickel (¢5): 1 × 5¢ = $0.05 (Remaining $0.00)
Answer: 2 one-dollar bills, 2 quarters, 1 dime, 1 nickel
2. Sandwich: Cost $4.50, Paid $10.00
Step 1: $10.00 − $4.50 = $5.50
Step 2:
- $5 bill: 1 × $5 = $5.00 (Remaining $0.50)
- Quarters: 2 × 25¢ = $0.50
Answer: 1 five-dollar bill, 2 quarters
3. Book: Cost $6.80, Paid $10.00
Step 1: $10.00 − $6.80 = $3.20
Step 2:
- $1 bills: 3 × $1 = $3.00 (Remaining $0.20)
- Dimes: 2 × 10¢ = $0.20
Answer: 3 one-dollar bills, 2 dimes
4. Snack & Drink: Cost $3.25, Paid $5.00
Step 1: $5.00 − $3.25 = $1.75
Step 2:
- $1 bill: 1 × $1 = $1.00 (Remaining $0.75)
- Quarters: 3 × 25¢ = $0.75
Answer: 1 one-dollar bill, 3 quarters
5. Movie Ticket: Cost $7.25, Paid $10.00
Step 1: $10.00 − $7.25 = $2.75
Step 2:
- $1 bills: 2 × $1 = $2.00 (Remaining $0.75)
- Quarters: 3 × 25¢ = $0.75
Answer: 2 one-dollar bills, 3 quarters
6. Shampoo: Cost $5.75, Paid $10.00
Step 1: $10.00 − $5.75 = $4.25
Step 2:
- $1 bills: 4 × $1 = $4.00 (Remaining $0.25)
- Quarter: 1 × 25¢ = $0.25
Answer: 4 one-dollar bills, 1 quarter
7. T-Shirt: Cost $9.50, Paid $20.00
Step 1: $20.00 − $9.50 = $10.50
Step 2:
- $10 bill: 1 × $10 = $10.00 (Remaining $0.50)
- Quarters: 2 × 25¢ = $0.50
Answer: 1 ten-dollar bill, 2 quarters
8. Hat: Cost $3.99, Paid $5.00
Step 1: $5.00 − $3.99 = $1.01
Step 2:
- $1 bill: 1 × $1.00 = $1.00 (Remaining $0.01)
- Penny: 1 × 1¢ = $0.01
Answer: 1 one-dollar bill, 1 penny
9. Magazine: Cost $2.20, Paid $5.00
Step 1: $5.00 − $2.20 = $2.80
Step 2:
- $1 bills: 2 × $1 = $2.00 (Remaining $0.80)
- Quarters: 3 × 25¢ = $0.75 (Remaining $0.05)
- Nickel: 1 × 5¢ = $0.05
Answer: 2 one-dollar bills, 3 quarters, 1 nickel
10. Meal: Cost $12.43, Paid $20.00
Step 1: $20.00 − $12.43 = $7.57
Step 2:
- $5 bill: 1 × $5.00 = $5.00 (Remaining $2.57)
- $1 bills: 2 × $1 = $2.00 (Remaining $0.57)
- Quarters: 2 × 25¢ = $0.50 (Remaining $0.07)
- Nickel: 1 × 5¢ = $0.05 (Remaining $0.02)
- Pennies: 2 × 1¢ = $0.02
Answer: 1 five-dollar bill, 2 one-dollar bills, 2 quarters, 1 nickel, 2 pennies