Understand the idea.
A choice changes what is left
Money you spend cannot also pay for another item. Start with the amount you have and take away the cost of your choice. The result tells you how much money is left.
Before choosing, check the next price too. If six dollars becomes two dollars after buying a book, only those two dollars are available for the next purchase. Saving them is also a choice.
Choices can affect other people too
A saving goal is something you are keeping money for. Compare what is saved with the goal price. Count on from the saved amount to find how much more is needed.
Shared money has a shared purpose. Listen to the class's plan before suggesting a purchase. Reusing something that still works or waiting before spending can leave more money for the agreed goal.
See the method in action.
What is left?
Tess has six dollars and buys a four-dollar book. How much is left?
Worked solution
- 1
Start with Tess's money.
This is the amount she has before buying the book.
- 2
Take away the book price.
The four dollars paid for the book are no longer available.
- 3
State how much is left.
Two dollars remain after the purchase.
2 dollars.
Save for a goal
The class wants an eight-dollar game. It has six dollars saved. How much more does it need?
Worked solution
- 1
Compare the saving with the goal.
The game costs more than the amount already saved.
- 2
Count on from six to eight.
Two one-dollar steps close the gap to the goal.
- 3
State the extra money needed.
Adding two dollars to the saving will make eight dollars.
2 more dollars.
Try it yourself.
Check your understanding
You have five dollars. You spend two dollars. Can you then buy a four-dollar item?
Show answer & reasoning
No.
After spending, dollars remain. A four-dollar item costs more than three dollars, so you cannot buy it with the money left.
Keep practising
6 worksheet questions
Read the questions online
- You have seven dollars and spend three dollars. How much is left?
- You have four dollars and save two more dollars. What is your new total?
- A goal costs ten dollars. You have eight dollars saved. How much more do you need?
- A class has five dollars for pencils. It can reuse a working box and save its two-dollar cost. How much of the five dollars remains for pencils?
- You have six dollars. A snack costs two dollars and a book costs five dollars. Can you buy both? Explain.
- A shared fund has four dollars for drawing paper. Sam wants to spend all four dollars on a toy. Explain one effect on the class.
Read the worked solutions
- You have seven dollars and spend three dollars. How much is left?
Seven take away three leaves four.
4 dollars. - You have four dollars and save two more dollars. What is your new total?
Four and two make six.
6 dollars. - A goal costs ten dollars. You have eight dollars saved. How much more do you need?
Count from eight to ten: nine, ten.
2 dollars. - A class has five dollars for pencils. It can reuse a working box and save its two-dollar cost. How much of the five dollars remains for pencils?
No money is spent on the box, so all five dollars remain.
5 dollars. - You have six dollars. A snack costs two dollars and a book costs five dollars. Can you buy both? Explain.
Two and five make seven, which is one dollar more than six.
No. - A shared fund has four dollars for drawing paper. Sam wants to spend all four dollars on a toy. Explain one effect on the class.
The four dollars can be spent only once. The toy would use the whole amount.
There would be no money left in this fund for the drawing paper.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 and SA Curriculum Mathematics
Year 1 money modelling, needs and wants, simple class enterprise and consequences of financial choices. Activities use supplied pretend prices and whole-dollar amounts.
Official curriculum source ↗