I have heard others often make the same complaint, and
I resolved to try the experiment of regularly teaching children to make
change. I had a bright little class in Arithmetic, the members of which
were always ready to engage with interest in any thing new, and to them
I proposed my plan. It was to be called the Shopping Exercise. I first
requested each individual to write something upon her slate which she
would like to buy, if she was going a shopping, stating the quantity she
wished and the price of it. To make the first lesson as simple as
possible, I requested no one to go above ten, either in the quantity or
price. When all were ready, I called upon some to read what she had
written. Her next neighbor was then requested to tell us how much the
purchase would amount to. Then the first one named a bill, which she
supposed to be offered in payment, and the second showed what change was
needed. A short specimen of the exercise will probably make it clearer
than mere description.
_Mary_. Eight ounces of candy at seven cents.
_Susan_. Fifty-six cents.
_Mary_. One dollar.
_Susan_. Forty-four cents.
* * * * *
_Susan_. Nine yards of lace at eight cents.
_Anna_. Seventy-two cents.
_Susan_. Two dollars.
_Anna_. One dollar and twenty-eight cents.
* * * * *
_Anna_. Three pieces of tape at five cents.
_Jane_. Fifteen cents.
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