How Time and Money is Teaching 1st Graders Common Core Math

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Like it or not, it’s here to stay. Your child will be incorporating it in their daily educational adventure. Maybe your first grader enjoys math or maybe it’s already a frustration, either way, Common Core Math is present in every school day and there are ways to reinforce the concepts at home and make it more enjoyable.

If you are just getting started on the educational journey or a seasoned veteran, so many fun activities are available to this age. Math is not just 1s, 2s, 3s and addition and subtraction. Common Core Math is also about grasping more abstract ideas and more real world situations. As parents, if we take some time to reinforce math concepts that our little ones are learning at school, we can create a positive outlook on a “not so fun” subject for some kids.

Common Core Math Activity Combines Art and Math

A couple of real world concepts that a first grader is introduced to is reading a clock and counting out money. Here is a super fun activity that you can do with your child that is both creative and academic. I have done this exact project with my son and we played with it over and over. So gather a few supplies, grab your kids and sit down and create this fantastic masterpiece.

The Money Clock

Here is what you will need:

• 1 Large piece of cardboard
• 23 pennies, 5 nickels, 3 dimes
• 1 Paper fastener (brad clip)
• 1 pair of scissors
• Hot glue gun
• Markers

Now let’s get started. Here is how to begin making our money clock.

Step 1:

Take your large sheet of cardboard and help your child cut a large circle in the cardboard with your scissors. You can use a large circular object to trace the circle, but it is not necessary. If the cardboard is thick, you may want to use a box cutter to cut out the circle. Make sure this step is performed by an adult only.

Step 2:

Give your child the cardboard circle and coins. Have him or her place coins around the clock “face” so that the number represented by coins equals the number that goes in each place on the clock. For example, one penny goes at 1 o’clock, two pennies go at 2 o’clock, and so on. When you get to 5 o’clock, switch from pennies a nickel. Use a nickel plus pennies for 6, 7, 8, and 9 o’clock, then switch to a dime, and continue.

Parent tip: You can use this time to quiz your child on the value of each coin that he or she is placing.

Step 3:

Cut two arrows (one longer in length than the other) from cardboard for your child to use as clock “hands.” Your child may want to color the arrows with markers and make each arrow a different color. Help attach the clock hands to the middle of the cardboard circle using the brad. Use scissors or a pen to poke a hole in the cardboard pieces for inserting the brad.

Step 4:

While you supervise, help your child use of the hot glue gun if safe. The coins can now be glued to their correct positions on the clock. Using the glue gun in my experience works the best to prevent the coins from falling off.

Parent tip: As you glue the coins, play around! Try to find all the possible combinations of coins that add up to the number you’re gluing.

Step 5:

Give your new clock a try after the glue dries. Move the hands around to match the time of day, quiz your child on different times of day, or test addition skills by asking to add coins to different groups of money on the clock.

In very little time you have a fun, educational project that has created a bridge between school and home. You are also creating an atmosphere where Common Core Math is no longer a swear word, but an activity that can be used over and over again. Now, go have some fun with math!

To view previous posts about Preschool Common Core Math and Kindergarten Common Core Math, or other educational information check out our website ilslearningcorner.com.

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Integrated Learning Strategies is a Utah-based center dedicated to helping mainstream children and children with learning challenges achieve academic success. Our services provide kids with non-traditional tutoring programs within the Davis County, Kaysville, Layton, Syracuse, Farmington, and Centerville areas. Areas to find Integrated Learning Strategies include: Reading tutors in Kaysville, Math tutors in Kaysville, Common Core Tutors in Kaysville, Tutors in Utah, Utah Tutoring Programs