Understanding by Design  

Problem Solving with Money- Grade 2 ​(2.OA.8) 

 
Stage 1 - Desired Results 
Established Goals: 
M1: ​ Make meaning of and take risks to persevere through complex mathematical problems utilizing strategic 
thinking and reasoning. 
M2:​ ​ Effectively communicate mathematical reasoning by developing viable arguments and constructively 
critiquing the reasoning of others. 
M3:​ ​Fluently apply appropriate skills, processes, and tools in new and authentic situations. 
M4:​ ​ Make use of structure and/or repeated reasoning to quantify, compare, represent and model mathematics 
while attending to precision. 

1.1 Enduring Understandings  1.2 Essential Questions 

Students will understand that . . . .   ● Why is it important to learn about money? 
● Money can be measured and have  ● When should we estimate amounts of 
value.  money? 
● Money has distinct attributes that can be  ● What are the units/symbols of money and 
measured.  how are they used in our daily lives?  

1.3 Acquisition of Knowledge and Skills 

Students will know . . . .    Students will be able to . . .  

● The value of money (different coins, dollar  ● Solve complex word problems 
bills)  ● Recognize operations in word problems 
● How to problem solve through real-world  ● Application to real-world
money scenarios 
 
 
 

Stage 2 - Assessment Evidence 

Performance Tasks:  Other Evidence: 
● How much are the coins worth?  ● Pre and post assessment 
● Do we have enough money?  ● Money word problems (different types of 
word problems) 
● Problem based lessons- resource 
● Concession stand problem solving 
 

Stage 3 - Learning Plan 

Learning Activities: 
 
**Give Pre Assessment 
 
Lesson 1: Identifying coin values- ​After watching c
​ oin values video​, students will be exploring the different 
coins and creating a resource after researching the value of each coin, as well as the different symbols 
 that are on each coin.  
 
 
Lesson 2: Reasoning with money​- Students will be given a scenario and have to reason through the 
different coin combinations that could work. Students will be giving each other feedback based on their 
solutions of the multiple scenarios. (For example: make 77 cents using 1 quarter, what are the other possible 
coins?) 
 
Lesson 3: Problem solving​- Students will be given 4 word problems. They will work with a partner to be sure 
they include a label, model, and equation when problem solving to show how they are thinking as they 
solve. 
 
Lesson 4: Word Problem Rotations​- Students will be working in small groups to solve various word problems 
around the room. They will be given one word problem to work through and solve as a group. They will then 
present to the rest of the class who will be giving them feedback based on how they solved. 
 
Lesson 5: Carnival Problem Solving​- Students will work independently to use critical thinking skills to analyze 
and determine the possible solutions to solve. 
 
Lesson 6: How much are the coins worth?​ (lesson attached) -- higher level thinking 
 
Lesson 7: Do we have enough money?​ (lesson attached) -- higher level thinking 
 
**Give Post Assessment