What your learner will practice
Multi-step thinking. Fourth graders practice larger numbers, fractions, decimals and multi-step reasoning. Encourage estimation as a way to check answers.
With counting money in Grade 4, the goal is to build understanding and to explain the method, not just get a number. Take breaks and repeat short sessions when needed.
How to solve counting money problems
- 1Name each coin and its value in cents.
- 2Add like values first and convert 100 cents into one dollar when helpful.
- 3Write answers with dollars and cents clearly.
Common mistake to watch for
Do not confuse the number of coins with their value.
Try these six examples
Read each question, solve on paper, and then check the answer. The full printable sets below provide 20 new problems each.
- How much is $1.00 + $0.50? Answer: $1.50
- How much is $3.00 + $1.00? Answer: $4.00
- How much is $1.50 + $0.10? Answer: $1.60
- How much is $2.25 + $1.20? Answer: $3.45
- How much is $2.75 + $1.10? Answer: $3.85
- How much is $1.25 + $1.30? Answer: $2.55
Helpful teaching idea
Count real or pretend coins before doing the written version.
Ask for a strategy before computation. Show how to check a result with the reverse operation.