The idea, step by step
A choice changes what is left
When you spend money, you have less left for another choice. If you have six dollars and spend four dollars, you have two dollars left.
Before buying, ask: What will I have left? Will that still meet my next need? This helps you explain a plan rather than guess.
Choices can affect other people too
Saving money now can help with a later goal. Reusing an item that still works can also leave money for something else.
For a shared class fund, listen to the class's agreed purpose. A choice should fit both the amount available and the people it is meant to help. Different plans can be sensible when their reasons are clear.
A common trap
Thinking money spent is still available for the next purchase.
Instead: Take away the amount spent before checking another price.
See the thinking
What is left?
Tess has six dollars and buys a four-dollar book. How much is left?
- Start with six dollars.
- Take away the four dollars spent.
- Six take away four leaves two.
Save for a goal
The class wants an eight-dollar game. It has six dollars saved. How much more does it need?
- The goal is eight dollars.
- The class already has six.
- Count on from six to eight: seven, eight. It needs two more.
Check your understanding
You have five dollars. You spend two dollars. Can you then buy a four-dollar item?
Show answer
No.
Three dollars remain, and four dollars are needed.
Your turn
6 questions · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- You have seven dollars and spend three dollars. How much is left?
- You have four dollars and save two more dollars. What is your new total?
- A goal costs ten dollars. You have eight dollars saved. How much more do you need?
- A class has five dollars for pencils. It can reuse a working box and save its two-dollar cost. How much of the five dollars remains for pencils?
- You have six dollars. A snack costs two dollars and a book costs five dollars. Can you buy both? Explain.
- A shared fund has four dollars for drawing paper. Sam wants to spend all four dollars on a toy. Explain one effect on the class.
Read the worked solutions
- You have seven dollars and spend three dollars. How much is left?
Seven take away three leaves four.
4 dollars. - You have four dollars and save two more dollars. What is your new total?
Four and two make six.
6 dollars. - A goal costs ten dollars. You have eight dollars saved. How much more do you need?
Count from eight to ten: nine, ten.
2 dollars. - A class has five dollars for pencils. It can reuse a working box and save its two-dollar cost. How much of the five dollars remains for pencils?
No money is spent on the box, so all five dollars remain.
5 dollars. - You have six dollars. A snack costs two dollars and a book costs five dollars. Can you buy both? Explain.
Two and five make seven, which is one dollar more than six.
No. - A shared fund has four dollars for drawing paper. Sam wants to spend all four dollars on a toy. Explain one effect on the class.
The four dollars can be spent only once. The toy would use the whole amount.
There would be no money left in this fund for the drawing paper.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 and SA Curriculum Mathematics
Year 1 money modelling, needs and wants, simple class enterprise and consequences of financial choices. Activities use supplied pretend prices and whole-dollar amounts.
Official curriculum source ↗