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We're in the Money!

We started working on money this week in second grade! 

We're in the money! Counting money is all about skip counting. Here's a little trick to help them remember counting quarters!

 Money is all about skip counting, so if the kids don't know how to skip count, it's going to be tough. Counting by 5s and by 10s is pretty easy for the kids, but I use a little trick from my past to count by 25s.



Brain research tells us that adding movement, as well as repetition helps the memory.



Did I mention that I was once a cheerleader?



This one dates back to the early 70s, but I think I remember my mother saying this one, so I'm guessing it dates back to about the 40s. Some of my girls volunteered to pose for the photographs. I usually call it a chant, not a cheer, so it doesn't scare away my little guys! These movements can be done in quite a manly manner, despite the daintiness you see in these lovely ladies.


A Chant for Quarters!


We're in the money! Counting money is all about skip counting. Here's a little trick to help them remember counting quarters!
Twenty five! (punch arms up and left.)

We're in the money! Counting money is all about skip counting. Here's a little trick to help them remember counting quarters!Fifty! (punch arms down and left.)

We're in the money! Counting money is all about skip counting. Here's a little trick to help them remember counting quarters!Seventy-five! (punch arms up and right.)
We're in the money! Counting money is all about skip counting. Here's a little trick to help them remember counting quarters!A dollar! (Punch arms down and right.)
We're in the money! Counting money is all about skip counting. Here's a little trick to help them remember counting quarters!Everyone for money, (Arms out to sides.)
We're in the money! Counting money is all about skip counting. Here's a little trick to help them remember counting quarters!Stand up, (bend forward, roll arms)

We're in the money! Counting money is all about skip counting. Here's a little trick to help them remember counting quarters!
and holler!  (Put arms up high.)














The kids absolutely love it! (Yes, even the boys!) It makes a nice brain break, or just a warm up for math class. The kids get to move around and practice their skip counting by 25s as well.



Instead of saying "Everyone for money", we usually insert the name of our school.



With my musical theatre background, every time we get ready for math when we're working with money, I break out into the song We're in the Money from the musical 42nd Street. I have a couple of kids in my class that are musically inclined, so last Friday at snack time, I showed them this video:



Every single kid was absolutely mesmerized! They even asked to see it again. (A couple of kids watched it a third time, while waiting for buses!) Then, when it was time to get ready for science, they all started tap dancing. Of course I let them tap dance their way to get their science materials. You can't discourage a desire for musical theatre!

Once they understand counting money, here's a fun game to practice the skill: Coin Trading Game
We're in the money! Counting money is all about skip counting. Here's a little trick to help them remember counting quarters!

Music for the Classroom

Brain research teaches us that music helps make connections in the brain.




Music for the Classroom: Here are some suggestions for music to play in the elementary classroom, and some reasons to play different kinds of music.



I play music in my classroom all the time.  Sometimes I play slow, classical music to help the children focus.  Other times, I play upbeat music to get the children involved.  I also play seasonal music to help the children "feel the season".  Here are some of my favorites:


 
Music for Concentration is one of my staples.  It's magical background music for when the children are a little too chatty and a little less focused.  I turn on this CD and they settle in and get going on their work!  This series has several titles, and my goal is to own them all.  I haven't tried one that didn't keep up with its promises!  Here are a few others in the series:

    

    
     
I have these except the Music for Thinking, which is on my wishlist.

Other great background music:

   
   
I also play a good deal of upbeat music, particularly when the children arrive in the morning. It gives them the feel that the classroom is a happy place. This is some of the music I play:
        

Of course, kids aren't limited to music designed for kids.  They get a kick out of some of this timeless music: 

    
Then of course, here are a couple of my personal favorites:  



     
And to think I haven't even mentioned showtunes! (My very favorite music!)

Here are some previous posts with suggestions for certain holidays:


St. Patrick's Day

Cinco de Mayo
Any Patriotic Holiday

I'm always looking for new resources. What music do you listen to in your classroom?

Music for the Classroom: Here are some suggestions for music to play in the elementary classroom, and some reasons to play different kinds of music.



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