Minds On
School shopping
Two students are going shopping for school supplies.
Cart #1 has a total value of $6 and cart #2 has a total value of $11.
Student #1 wants to buy the items in cart #1 and has a $10 bill. What will their change be?
Student #2 wants to buy the items in cart #2 and has a $20 bill. What will their change be?
We can use a number line or play money to solve this problem.
In this lesson, we are going to learn to estimate and calculate the change needed for different cash payments.
Action
What is change?
When we buy something and pay with money, we may be paying with an amount of money that has a greater value than the total amount. The money we get for the difference of the cost and payment is called change.
Buying candy
A shopper is buying some candy for $4. In their wallet they have three $10 bills and three toonies.
What money could the shopper use to pay for the candy? Explain your thinking.
How much change would the shopper get back if they paid for the candy with $10?
Use pictures, numbers and words to explain your answer.
Practice #1
A vacationer is taking a trip to the lake. Before they leave on their trip, they visit the Beach Store to buy some items. Choose three of the following items for the vacationer to buy for their trip to the lake.
How much change would the vacationer get back from $20? Explain your work.
Practice #2
A camper is going on a trip. Before they leave, they need to buy some supplies. Choose four of the following items for the camper to buy for their trip.
How much change would the camper get back if they paid with a $50 bill?
Explain your work using pictures, numbers or words.
Practice #3
A student is buying items for their art class. They need to buy a paintbrush, paint, an easel, a paint tray, and a blending board.
The following image displays the art store items and their prices.
The student would like to buy all of the items. How much change would they get back from $60?
Demonstrate your work using pictures, numbers or words.
Brainstorm
Review
Which was the most challenging question to solve? Why?
What strategy helped the most as you solved the questions?
Consolidation
Lunch time!

A hungry shopper has $15. They purchased their lunch at a restaurant for $11.
Answer the following questions about the shopper’s purchase:
- What would their change be?
- What are some of the combinations of change they could get?
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.