Book #14 A Quarter from the Tooth Fairy

Book #14
A Quarter From the Tooth Fairy by Caren Holtzman
Holtzman, C. (1995). A quarter from the tooth fairy. New York, NY: Cartwheel.

Summary:
This book tells a story about when a boy finds a quarter from the tooth fairy under his pillow, he’s excited about spending it. He buys a monster from his friend, Mary, but soon decides this wasn’t the right choice and returns the monster to her. She gives him back a nickel and two dimes. Next he buys a spaceship pencil, but then decides it wasn’t the right choice either. When he returns it, the store clerk gives him back five nickels. After two more purchases and returns, each time getting a different assortment of coins, he again has a quarter and decides to put it under his pillow to buy back his tooth!

Standards:
SC.2-5 The student will demonstrate through the mathematical processes an understanding of the value of combinations of coins and bills and the measurement of length, weight, time, and temperature.

2-5.1 Use a counting procedure to determine the value of a collection of coins and bills.

Objectives:
The student will be able to build an understanding of our monetary system of coins and have practice with addition.

Materials:
Holtzman, C. (1995). A quarter from the tooth fairy. New York, NY: Cartwheel.
Pennies, Nickels, Dimes, and Quarters (for each student)

Procedures:
Read the story aloud. Then give each student pennies, nickels, and quarters (you can place them in small groups also). Ask children to examine the coins and notice the pictures, words, and numbers on both sides. Then draw four columns on the board and title them penny, nickel, dime, quarter. Ask the children what they discovered and record it on the board, including monetary value. Next reread the story, stopping each time the boy receives coins worth 25 cents and ask, “Who can tell me why these coins together equal 25 cents?” Then record the number sentence on the board. Repeat for every time he had 25 cents and record the number sentence, talking through your thinking after the student explains their reasoning. Finally ask, “What other assortments of pennies, nickels, and dimes also add up to 2 cents?” Give them time and them have them record and report their findings.