K-5 friendly lesson
Try one idea, then jump into the activity.These lessons are designed to feel short, friendly, and easy to follow.

Add Money Up to $1.00

šŸ›’ Shopping Cart Total! When you buy more than one thing at the dollar store, you have to add their prices together.

Lesson 5

Concept

Adding money uses the exact same math as regular two-digit addition. But there is one tiny, absolutely critical rule. šŸŽÆ **The "Drop the Decimal" Rule:** When prices are written with a dollar sign like **$0.45**, that dot in the middle is called a **Decimal Point**. It separates the "Dollars" on the left, from the "Cents/Change" on the right. 1. **Stack the dots perfectly!** When you add $0.45 + $0.32, the dots MUST be perfectly straight up and down. $0.45 + $0.32 ------- 2. **Add normal:** 5+2=7. 4+3=7. 3. **Drop the Dot!** Bring the decimal point straight down into the answer. $0.77. 4. Final Answer: **77 cents**! (Or $0.77).

Try it

Total the cart! **Instructions:** Stack the prices. Drop the dot. Add the numbers! **Problem 1:** You buy an apple for $0.25 and a banana for $0.14. $0.25 + $0.14 ------- * Drop the dot! Add the numbers! * Total: $_.___ **Problem 2:** You buy gum for $0.50 and a sticker for $0.35. $0.50 + $0.35 ------- * Total: $_.___ **Problem 3:** You buy a toy for $0.42 and another toy for $0.42. * Total: $_.___ **Problem 4:** You buy a ring for $0.85 and cheap candy for $0.05. * (Wait! 5+5=10! You have to carry the 1!). * Total: $_.___