MATHBONE JOURNAL

A pretend shop for money and change

Connect prices, payment and differences through pretend play.

Illustrative image: Children using play money in a pretend shop
Illustrative learning scene

Primary

Choose accessible prices

Use picture cards and play coins. Price an item at twelve baht and explore different ways to pay exactly.

Treat change as a missing part

For a twenty-baht payment on a twelve-baht item, ask how much more twelve needs to reach twenty. Count on or draw the eight-baht change.

A 20-baht payment consists of a 12-baht price and 8-baht change. The two parts add back to the payment.
Connect the picture with the reasoning

A 20-baht payment consists of a 12-baht price and 8-baht change. The two parts add back to the payment.

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Swap roles and check

Take turns as buyer and seller, explaining totals and change. Begin with one item before adding several.

Keep exploring together

Choose activities that match the learner’s knowledge and readiness, and discuss what you notice. Explore the curriculum or parent guide below.

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