Counting with Dimes, Nickels, and Quarters

Purpose

To build fluency at counting by 10, 20, and 50 in the context of counting coins.

Materials

dimes, nickels, and quarters

Overview

Have the class practice skip counting using coins. Count by 10 using dimes (1 dime is 10¢, 2 dimes is 20¢, 3 dimes is 30¢, and so on), saying the number of cents aloud. Then have children count by nickels (5) and then by quarters (25) in the same way.

About the sequence

Part 1, skip counting by 10 using dimes, is likely familiar. Part 2, skip counting by 5 using nickels, also may be familiar. The extension, skip counting by 25 using quarters, builds a new skill.

Part 1

Let’s skip count by 10 using dimes, watching o this for exactly thirty seconds with one number each second and no faster.

10¢, 20¢, 30¢, 40¢… 260¢, 270¢, 280¢, 290¢, 300¢

If children need more practice or are enjoying their mastery, repeat. If children are ready to move on, move to Part 2.

Part 2

Let’s skip count by 5 using nickels, watching o this for exactly thirty seconds with one number each second and no faster.

5¢, 10¢, 15¢, 20¢… 135¢,140¢, 145¢, 150¢

If children need more practice or are enjoying their mastery, repeat. If children are ready to move on, go to the extension.

Extension

Let’s skip count by 25 using quarters, watching o this for exactly thirty seconds, with one number each second and no faster.

25¢, 50¢, 75¢, 100¢, 125¢… 575¢, 600¢, 625¢, 650¢, 675¢, 700¢