Money Identification with Anchor Charts

Mar 21

Identifying money can be a challenging for many students. It takes many opportunities of practice for students to feel confident working with money. Having money anchor charts hanging in the classroom can make money identification more familiar. In this post, you’ll find anchor chart ideas for:

identifying coin names and values
equivalent coin amounts

When introducing money, focus on physical characteristics to help students differentiate each coin.

Penny Anchor Chart

Pennies are great to introduce first because they are easily identified among the other coins.

Money and coin identification anchor charts

Discuss what can be seen on the front and back of a penny. When students are familiar with how to find a penny, then discuss its value.

Help students document their learning with their own anchor charts in their math journals.

Add this Money Brain Break to your collection.

Nickel Anchor Chart

After a few days practicing with pennies, introduce students to the value of a nickel.

Since nickels and quarters are similar in size and shape, spend time observing and discussing the differences between the 2 coins.

Help students understand that the best way to efficiently count nickels is to skip count by 5s.

Dime Anchor Chart

Observe and compare similarities and differences between a dime and the other coins.

Use a 100 chart as a tool to help students see how dimes can be skip counted by 10s.

Quarter Anchor Chart

Discuss the characteristics of a quarter. Show students that the front of each quarter looks the same, but the back varies greatly.

Students are amazed that each state has its own design on the back of a quarter.

Help students understand the value of a quarter and strategies that can be used to count quarters.

Understanding Equivalent Amounts

After spending time working with each coin, students should begin to understand that coins can be exchanged with other coins to have equivalent amounts.

Ask students why they may want to exchange one amount for another.

Wrap-Up

Money anchor charts are the perfect resource to help students identify each coin. Students can quickly reference the charts around the room or use their own personal anchor charts.