Minds On

Exploring

Every coin has a different value and a different appearance. Let's explore the coins virtually, using coin manipulatives. If you have bills and coins in your classroom or at home, you can learn about the features of each coin online.

Canadian coins: 2 dollars, 1 dollar, 50 cents, 25 cents, 10 cents and 5 cents

Let's explore!

Canadian two dollar coin also called a toonie. Made of two colours it has a polar bear on it.
  • Name: Toonie
  • Worth: 2 dollars
  • Image: Polar bear on one side
  • Colour: Silver and gold

Canadian one dollar coin also called a loonie, has a picture of a loon, the national bird of Canada.
  • Name: Loonie
  • Worth: 1 dollar
  • Image: Loon on one side
  • Colour: Gold

Canadian fifty cents piece coin. The coin’s reverse depicts the coat of arms of Canada
  • Name: 50 cent piece
  • Worth: 50 cents
  • Image: The Canada Coat of Arms on one side
  • Colour: Silver

Canadian twenty-five cents coin also called a quarter has a caribou on it.
  • Name: Quarter
  • Worth: 25 cents
  • Image: Caribou on one side
  • Colour: Silver

Canadian ten cents coin also called a dime has a famous Canadian sailboat on it “the Bluenose”
  • Name: Dime
  • Worth: 10 cents
  • Image: Bluenose schooner on one side
  • Colour: Silver

Canadian five cents coin also called a nickel were earlier made of nickel (hence the name).
  • Name: Nickel
  • Worth: 5 cents
  • Image: Beaver on one side
  • Colour: Silver

Action

Applying skills

You are going to do a matching activity to build on our understanding of coin value. For each coin, match the image with the coin's name or value.

Student Success

Think-Pair-Share

Think of different ways you can make different coin values using only a certain number of coins.

How can you make 30 cents using three coins?

How can you make 30 cents using different coin combinations?

Record your ideas in an audio recording, on paper, or on a computer.

Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.

Consolidation

Deepening your understanding

Review the Canadian coins and their value.

Practice making different coin values using only a specific number of coins.

coins

Record your ideas in an audio recording, on paper, or on a computer.

  1. Make $5.00 using only three coins.
  2. What other coins can you use to make $5.00?

You can use the following interactive to count coins and solve the problems. An adult can show you how to use it and then you can try it yourself.

Reflection

How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity?  Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel...

Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.