Introduction and Summary
26 Letters and 99 Cents is a great introductory book for students regarding money. It goes through multiple ways of making different amounts of cents, such as 6 cents (6 pennies, or 1 nickel and 1 penny). Each example shows the number next to the examples, which show actual coins so students start understanding the coins’ values. Examples go up to 99 cents. This is a great way to introduce the concept of money to students and help them understand its value.
Curriculum Connections
26 Letters and 99 Cents can be used to go with SOL K.7, where students begin to recognize that money is what people use to buy goods and is an important things to understand. This book is a good resource and can be used in teaching introduction to economics or even in mathematics.
Additional Resources
Scholastic had this great extension activity to do with the book once the students have read it.
Here is a lesson plan called Number Cents where students get to work with real nickels and pennies like they saw in the book.
Lastly, this is a lesson plan where the book can even be utilized while teaching second graders.
General Information
Book: 26 Letters and 99 Cents
Author: Tana Hoban
Illustrator: none
Publisher: Mulberry Books
Publication Date: 1987
Pages: Grade Range: K-1
ISBN: 0-688=06361-6