Introduction
Welcome to Financial Maths in Action!
This Google Classroom has been created to help you all (Year 5 students) to learn important maths skills in a fun, engaging and meaningful way. You will learn how to work with money, make good estimates, and solve real-world problems using maths.Yes this is going to be real fun!
Over three interactive lessons, you will practise:
- Adding and subtracting amounts of money in a fun way
- Estimating totals and checking if your answers are correct or reasonable
- Creating and managing budgets
- Working with your classmates to solve problems
- Using digital tools such as IXL, Mangahigh, and online games such as Teaching Money and others
In each lesson, I will include hands-on activities and digital learning tools for you to learn at your own pace. You'll also have opportunities to explain your thinking and learn from your classmates, whether they're at school or at home.
What will YOU learn?
This unit is primarily based on the Australian Curriculum v9.0 for Year 5 Mathematics. So, the learning activities are linked to two main content descriptors as follows:
AC9M5N08
You will learn how to check and explain the reasonableness of solutions to problems including financial contexts using estimation strategies appropriate to the context (ACARA, 2022). In other words, you will use estimation strategies to check if your answers are reasonable. This means looking at a maths problem and deciding if the answer makes sense, especially when using money.
AC9M5N09
You will also learn how to use mathematical modelling to solve practical problems involving additive and multiplicative situations including financial contexts; formulate the problems, choosing operations and efficient calculation strategies, using digital tools where appropriate; interpret and communicate solutions in terms of the situation (ACARA, 2022). Simply put, you will use mathematical models and number strategies to solve everyday money problems. This might include adding up prices, figuring out the change, or deciding how much to spend.
Maths skills YOU will use
In the lessons, you’ll practise the four key maths skills that are part of the in the Australian Curriculum (ACARA, 2022):
- Understanding: You will learn how money works in real life and how to use various number strategies.
- Fluency: You will practise solving maths problems effectively and accurately.
- Problem-solving: You will use maths to solve real-life tasks such as shopping or budgeting in your household.
- Reasoning: You will be able to explain how you got your answers and check if they are reasonable.
These skills will ultimately help you to become a more confident and capable learner when using maths in your daily life.
How will YOU learn?
Your will learn through:
- Google Classroom: This is where you’ll find all your lesson materials (explanation, activities, games, and links, etc.)
- Interactive tools: Such as IXL, Mangahigh, Kahoot, Teaching Money activities, Padlet for group work
- Group discussions: You’ll also work with your classmates to explain ideas and improve your listening, reading, and reasoning skills through Padlet
- Reflection: At the end of each lesson, you’ll get to answer short questions about what you've learned and how you've solved problems
Why this unit is important for YOU?
As you know that money is part of everyday life! Whether you're doing shopping at a store with your parents, planning your birthday party, or saving up for a special gift for someone, it's important to understand how to manage money. In this unit you will practise the maths skills needed to:
- Think smart, and make smart & reasonable choices
- Check your answers
- Plan a budget (as mentioned earlier)
- Work well with others (your friends or your co-workers in the future)
- Be a problem solver!
Task
Lesson 1
Learning Intention
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1) use mental maths strategies for addition and subtraction
2) apply estimation strategies to check if the answers are correct and/or reasonable
3) apply simple financial contexts such as shopping in real life
Success Criteria:
I can estimate totals using rounding strategies.
I can solve money problems simply using addition and subtraction.
I can check if my answers make sense and can explain the reason
Activities: (50 minutes)
1) Warm-up activity: Click the following links and have a go at rounding and simple addition and subtraction. (10 minutes)
Rounding:
Link 1 Easy - https://au.ixl.com/maths/year-3/rounding
Link 2 Medium - https://au.ixl.com/maths/year-4/rounding
Link 3 Hard - https://au.ixl.com/maths/year-5/rounding
Addition and Subtraction:
Link 1 Easy - https://au.ixl.com/maths/year-5/add-and-subtract-money-amounts
Link 2 Medium - Hard - https://au.ixl.com/maths/year-5/add-and-subtract-money-word-problems
(NOTE: If you can't access, use the following User and Password: Username: mathswithmrpitak Password: jongnantawat10)
2) Main Activity: (20 minutes)
Click the following link and follow the instructions explained in the Google Slides
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1B40RPXaWYszl4ti43nTKf_bNJOFV0Ye…;
3) Digital Practice: (15 minutes)
Click the following links to learn to add up money, give correct change, and handle money such as shopping
Link 1 Easy - https://www.teachingmoney.co.uk/aud/24spreeAUD.html
Link 2 Medium - https://www.teachingmoney.co.uk/aud/24changeAUD.html
NOTE: To access the following links, you need to click the following link to join our Year 5 Math Mangahigh and create your student account https://platform.mangahigh.com/en-au/register-student/531233/3638343539… you’ve created your account, you’ll be able to login in the future from https://app.mangahigh.com/login/student/531233 (leave comment below if you cannot create your account so I can help you)
Alternatively, use this temporarily User and Password to access:
User ID: 1
Password: butterfly931
Link 3 Medium - Hard - https://platform.mangahigh.com/en-au/assignments/current
(The tasks are assigned in our Mangahigh class platform named: Year 5 Math Mr Pitak)
There are THREE assignments here via this link. You will learn:
- Work with money
- Add and subtract amounts of money to give change.
- Use both $ and cents in practical contexts.
4) Feedback/Reflection: (5 minutes)
Click the following Padlet Link below and answer the following questions on Padlet:
1) From the main activity, was your estimate close?
2) Why is estimation useful in real life?
https://padlet.com/kruemenglish/lesson-1-feedback-and-reflection-si2enp…;
(If you can't access Padlet, you can write your answer in the class comment below instead)
Process
Lesson 2
Learning Intention
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1) apply financial knowledge to real-life scenarios
2) calculate totals and change using money accurately
3) use estimation to stay within a set budget
Success Criteria:
I can act as a shopper or cashier to solve real-life money problems.
I can calculate totals and change using play money.
I can estimate and reflect on financial choices.
Activities: (50 minutes)
1) Warm-up activity: Click the following links and have a go at word problems (10 minutes)
Link 1 Easy - https://au.ixl.com/maths/year-5/add-and-subtract-money-word-problems&nb…;
Link 2 Medium- Hard - https://au.ixl.com/maths/year-5/price-lists
(NOTE: If you can't access, use the following User and Password: Username: mathswithmrpitak Password: jongnantawat10)
2) Main Activity: Money and Budgeting (20 minutes)
Click the following link and follow the instructions explained in the Google Slides
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xd9f1K7oLLZ0chE_Qw6LOlusIv9DD6A…;
3) Digital Practice: (15 minutes)
Click the following links to work on calculating totals and change in real life scenarios
Link 1 Easy - https://www.mathmammoth.com/practice/change
Link 2 Easy - https://www.teachingmoney.co.uk/aud/24changeAUD.html
https://www.teachingmoney.co.uk/aud/24changeAUD.html
Link 3 Medium - https://au.ixl.com/maths/year-5/multiply-money-amounts-with-decimals-wo…;
Link 4 Hard - https://kahoot.it/challenge/02827d73-a0a3-4205-9eb3-3ab09b451e59_174945… (Game PIN 04844800)
NOTE: To access the following links, you need to click the following link to join our Year 5 Math Mangahigh and create your student account https://platform.mangahigh.com/en-au/register-student/531233/3638343539… you’ve created your account, you’ll be able to login in the future from https://app.mangahigh.com/login/student/531233
Alternatively, use this temporarily User and Password to access:
User ID: 1
Password: butterfly931
Link 5 Medium - Hard - https://platform.mangahigh.com/en-au/assignments/current
Work on the "Create financial plans and GST"
(The tasks are assigned in our Mangahigh class platform named: Year 5 Math Mr Pitak)
4) Feedback/Reflection: (5 minutes)
Click the following Padlet Link below and answer the following questions on Padlet:
https://padlet.com/kruemenglish/lesson-2-70x7bse1v9rldwxu
1) What did you learn about managing money today?
2) What can you apply what you have learned in your daily life? Give an example of a situation.
(If you can't access Padlet, you can write your answer in the class comment below instead)
Evaluation
Lesson 3
Learning IntentionBy the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1) solve financial word problems using symbolic (numerical) reasoning
2) solve equations using addition and subtraction
3) check if your answers are logical, reasonable, and correct
Success Criteria:
I can read and understand a word problem
I can write number sentences (equations) that match the problem
I can check if my answer makes sense using estimation
Activities: (50 minutes)
1) Warm-up activity: Click the following links and do the activities (10 minutes)
Link 1 Easy - https://platform.mangahigh.com/en-au/assignments/current Do = Year 5 / Number and Algebra / Number and place value - GAMES Estimate with addition
Link 2 Medium- Hard - https://au.ixl.com/maths/year-5/add-and-subtract-money-amounts
(NOTE: If you can't access, use the following User and Password: Username: mathswithmrpitak Password: jongnantawat10)
2) Main Activity: Money and Budgeting (20 minutes)
Click the following link and follow the instructions explained in the Google Slides
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1fSD59yMmMFgwMKhINEiWffk1Ypxrg5s…
3) Digital Practice: (15 minutes)
Click the following links to work on realistic financial word problems
Link 1 Easy -
Link 2 Medium - https://au.ixl.com/maths/year-5/budget-a-weekly-allowance-word-problems
Link 3 Upper Medium - https://au.ixl.com/maths/year-5/reading-financial-records
Link 4 Hard - https://au.ixl.com/maths/year-5/balance-a-budget
NOTE: For Mangahigh - Year 5 Math Mangahigh click https://platform.mangahigh.com/en-au/register-student/531233/3638343539… you’ve created your account, you’ll be able to login in the future from https://app.mangahigh.com/login/student/531233
Alternatively, use this temporarily User and Password to access:
User ID: 1
Password: butterfly931
4) Feedback/Reflection: (5 minutes)
Click the following Padlet Link below and answer the following questions on Padlet:
1) Tell me the strategy/how you solve word problems?
2) How do you know that your answer is correct or reasonable?
3) Did you use a calculator to help with tasks/activities?
Link https://padlet.com/kruemenglish/lesson-3-3mlxch9b86rer98e
(If you can't access Padlet, you can write your answer in the class comment below instead)
Conclusion
Rationale and Curriculum Links
This unit, Financial Maths in Action!, is designed to help and support my Year 5 students to learn and develop their essential financial and mathematical skills in a fun, meaningful, and engaging way. The three lessons relate and connect real-life money problems/scenarios with classroom learning, making maths become more relevant to students’ everyday lives. I have used a variety of digital tools such as IXL, Kahoot, Mangahigh, Padlet, and online games such as Teaching Money, to promote interactive and student-centred learning, allowing them to learn at their own pace. These educational technologies also support differentiated instruction, allowing students with different abilities and learning needs to learn at their own pace and revisit concepts when needed.
The lessons are aligned with the Australian Curriculum Version 9.0 - two content descriptors are chosen as the main focus of study, they are:
AC9M5N08:
You will learn how to check and explain the reasonableness of solutions to problems including financial contexts using estimation strategies appropriate to the context (AKARA, 2022). Students will be able to check and explain the reasons of financial calculations using estimation strategies.
AC9M5N09:
You will also learn how to use mathematical modelling to solve practical problems involving additive and multiplicative situations including financial contexts; formulate the problems, choosing operations and efficient calculation strategies, using digital tools where
appropriate; interpret and communicate solutions in terms of the situation (ACARA, 2022). Students will be able to solve practical money problems in real-world situations by using a variety of efficient strategies and digital tools, applying mathematical modelling.
Throughout the three lessons, students will be able to build skills in:
- Understanding how to work with money and number strategies appropriately.
- Fluency by practising efficient and accurate calculations - addition and subtractions (also multiplication and division in some problems).
- Problem-solving with real-life scenarios via problems such as budgeting and shopping.
- Reasoning by explaining how they come up with solutions and reflect on their thinking and learning along the way
Each lesson is expected to encourage students to explore mathematical ideas/problems through logic and everyday discourse. The tasks are carefully chosen and designed to ultimately support their critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving skills as well as communication. Students are also encouraged to write a reflection on their own answers, strategies they have used, which helps them to recognise common errors or misconceptions in maths.
Class discussions and reflections writing on Padlet gives the students opportunities to engage in mathematical reasoning and hopefully improve their mathematical language. These peer and teacher interactions will hopefully help enhance a shared understanding of what makes a solution correct or reasonable, based on socio-mathematical norms.
The lessons not only build mathematical knowledge, but also assist the students to become more confident in using maths in their real-life situations—such as when they're shopping with their parents, managing their own money and savings, making smart choices, and working with other people. I am hoping that the lessons will also support the overall development of skills that are useful for the students in the future.
Credits
ACARA. (2022). F-10 Curriculum | V9 Australian Curriculum. Australian Curriculum. https://v9.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/learning-areas/m…
Kahoot! (2025). Kahoot.it. https://kahoot.it/challenge/02827d73-a0a3-4205-9eb3-3ab09b451e59_174945…;
Make Change Game - Online Practice for grades 1-3. (2025). Math Mammoth Practice. https://www.mathmammoth.com/practice/change
Maths Games | Mangahigh.com. (n.d.). Www.mangahigh.com. https://www.mangahigh.com/en-au/
Padlet. (2017). Padlet. Padlet; Padlet. https://padlet.com
Practise Year 5 maths online. (2023). IXL Learning. https://au.ixl.com/maths/year-5
Teaching Money - Online Money Games and Interactive Teaching Tools (GBP). (2025). Teachingmoney.co.uk. https://www.teachingmoney.co.uk/
Turner, G. (2023). Targeting Maths Year 5. Pascal Press.
Teacher Page
Misconceptions Page
This page will outline the potential and possible misconceptions that may happen from the lesson plans and it will also describe brief strategies to overcome them.
Misconception 1: Misunderstanding decimal values in money (e.g., thinking $3.50 is more than $3.75)
Strategies:
- Use visual models such as real or play money to compare amounts and help students see which is bigger.
- Use number lines or money games online (Mangahigh, IXL) to help students see which is bigger in a fun and engaging way
Misconception 2 : Adding or subtracting money incorrectly due to not lining up decimal points accurately
Strategies:
- Teach them to line up decimal points appropriately (align digits by place value) using lined paper or digital worksheets.
- Allow students more time to practise with IXL activities and assist them one-on-one if necessary
Misconception 3 : Estimation should always be exact
Strategies:
- Explain to students that estimation is used to get a close answer, not an exact one.
- Tell students about real-life examples/situations like shopping with a budget to show why estimation is useful.
Misconception 4: Believing that there’s only one way to solve the same money problems
Strategies:
- Show students different ways to solve the same problem and encourage multiple strategies (e.g., mental maths, rounding, writing number sentences).
- Ask students to explain their thinking or show their working out with their peers.
Misconception 5: Students not checking if their answer makes sense or reasonable
Strategies:
- Let students stop and ask themselves, “Does this answer make sense?”
- Encourage the use of end-of-lesson reflection questions to help students monitor themselves and think about their work