Show me the money!

This week we began learning money. We started off very simply, name the coin and its value. Some of my students got confused when they saw the state quarters that did not have the eagle on the back. I was honestly amazed at how many of my 2nd graders did not know the value of the coins. From the values we moved on to adding coins. Several students recognized that they were skip counting while counting money. Today in small group I brought in actual coins from home. I think the kiddos were excited to work with actual money. I had the students put their coins on a math mat. I then called out various amounts and them make that amount. With my on grade level, and above grade level groups I had them make the amount using two different combinations of coins. I was amazed and pleased when one of my student said "If 10 nickels makes 2 quarters then you need 20 nickels to make a dollar." I think the kids and I all realized how important it is to be able to skip count and add when working with money.