We Didn't Have Two Coins To Rub Together....But We Had A Crayon Rub!

Money Madness! Some days i feel useless to try and teach my pre-schoolers about money because i can almost guarantee all they'll have to do when they are of money earning age is swipe a card and enter a pin. however, just because they don't require kids to write cursive anymore, doesn't meant it isn't still a useful skill...so, i press on.
i have a few money games i have been playing with them to learn the names of the coins. they're REALLY good with knowing what the big bills are, so the coins are what we have been working on. the first day teaching them, i just had a big bag of coins and was pulling random coins out telling them what coin was what. before i knew it, they were twisting around on the floor, staring at the walls and writhing in their skin. it was not effective...however, glue some of those coins on popsicle sticks (aka my little miracles), and viola! you've got a lesson. i was so proud today when they asked to play the money game.
all you do is glue em on sticks, stick them in a cup and have them pull them out and name them. then, i let them pass the stick around the circle, look at it and repeat what coin it is.... repetition, repetition, repetition. :)

sorry my camera is so bad...i had to use my phone on account of my REAL
camera is broken...you get the idea, though. :) 

then for some FUN i glued some coins (heads sides and tails sides) on a laminated cardstock paper and they did a crayon rub over it. it took up fifteen minutes and they were BEGGING To take them home. :)
some days i have very proud moments. when something so simple steals their little hearts...i can remember why i do what i do. :)
i love pre-school!

happy teaching!