Little Newtons Class Pack · Class 11 · Grades 1–2

Little Newtons Class 11: Needs vs. Wants and Saving in a Piggy Bank

The whole Class 11 financial-literacy foundation on one page. Eight illustrated SOMATH posters walk your child through what money is, needs vs. wants, the four things you can do with money (earn/spend/save/share), what a piggy bank is (deposit, withdrawal, savings), saving over time to reach a goal, counting coins and dollars, the 3-jar system (Save · Spend · Share), and everyday money decisions. Under each poster: theory drawn directly from the poster and 5 practice questions with click-to-reveal explanations — 40 total.

Grades 1–2 Class Pack · 45–60 min · September 11, 2026
Short answer up top. A need is something we must have to stay healthy, safe, and alive (food, water, shelter, clothing, sleep, healthcare). A want is something we’d like to have but can live without (video games, a new phone, a bicycle, ice cream, toys, or a vacation). A piggy bank is a place where we keep money safe for later — putting money in is a deposit, taking money out is a withdrawal, and the money we keep is our savings. The 3-jar system divides every dollar into Save, Spend, Share (poster example: $10 = $5 save + $3 spend + $2 share). And 100 cents = $1.

Class 11 of the SOMATH Little Newtons course

Enroll in Little Newtons — grades 1–2

This class pack is part of SOMATH’s Little Newtons rolling syllabus, taught in small in-person groups on the Upper West Side. Join at any class number without losing the thread — students can start on Class 11 today.

See the full Little Newtons course →

What’s in this class

  1. Concept 1: What is money?
  2. Concept 2: Needs vs. wants
  3. Concept 3: Earn, spend, save, share
  4. Concept 4: What is a piggy bank?
  5. Concept 5: Saving over time — reach a goal
  6. Concept 6: Counting your savings — coins & dollars
  7. Concept 7: The 3-jar system — Save · Spend · Share
  8. Concept 8: Everyday money decisions

Total practice questions: 40 (5 per poster).

Concept 1 of 8

1. What is money?

SOMATH Little Newtons Class 11 Poster 1 — What Is Money? Coins (penny, nickel, dime, quarter) and a $1 bill with the three uses of money: Buy, Save, and Share.
SOMATH poster 1 — What is money?.

According to this SOMATH poster, money is what people use to buy things. Money can be in the form of coins or bills. We use money to pay for the things we need and the things we want — and we can also save money for later.

Examples of U.S. money (from the poster)

  • Penny — 1 cent (1¢)
  • Nickel — 5 cents (5¢)
  • Dime — 10 cents (10¢)
  • Quarter — 25 cents (25¢)
  • 1-dollar bill — $1

What can money do?

The poster shows three things money can do:

  • Buy — use money to buy things you need and want.
  • Save — keep money for later to reach your goals.
  • Share — use money to help others and make a difference.
Small change, big possibilities. Money is a tool that helps people trade fairly for things they need, save toward the future, and share with others.

Practice — 5 questions from this poster

  1. Q1. What is money used for?
    Show explanation
    According to the poster, money is what people use to buy things. We use money to pay for things we need and things we want.
  2. Q2. What are the two forms of money shown on the poster?
    Show explanation
    Coins (penny, nickel, dime, quarter) and bills (like the $1 bill).
  3. Q3. How many cents is a quarter worth?
    Show explanation
    A quarter is worth 25 cents (25¢).
  4. Q4. The poster shows three things money can do. What are they?
    Show explanation
    Buy (buy things you need and want), Save (keep money for later to reach your goals), and Share (use money to help others).
  5. Q5. Which coin is worth more — a dime or a nickel?
    Show explanation
    A dime is worth more. A dime = 10¢ and a nickel = 5¢.
Concept 2 of 8

2. Needs vs. wants

SOMATH Little Newtons Class 11 Poster 2 — Needs vs. Wants. Needs: food, shelter, water, clothing, healthcare, rest. Wants: video games, toys, ice cream, bicycle, new phone, vacation. Needs come first. Wants are extra.
SOMATH poster 2 — Needs vs. wants.

This SOMATH poster teaches the difference between things we need and things we want.

Needs

Needs are things we must have to live, be healthy, and stay safe. The poster shows six needs:

  • Food
  • Shelter
  • Water
  • Clothing
  • Healthcare
  • Rest

Wants

Wants are things we would like to have, but we can live without them. The poster shows six wants:

  • Video games
  • Toys
  • Ice cream
  • Bicycle
  • New phone
  • Vacation
Remember: Needs come first. Wants are extra.

Practice — 5 questions from this poster

  1. Q1. What is a need?
    Show explanation
    A need is something we must have to live, be healthy, and stay safe — like food, water, shelter, and healthcare.
  2. Q2. What is a want?
    Show explanation
    A want is something we would like to have, but we can live without it — like a video game or a toy.
  3. Q3. Is ice cream a need or a want? Why?
    Show explanation
    A want. The poster puts ice cream on the Wants side. It’s a treat — we can live without it.
  4. Q4. Sort into needs and wants: shelter, video games, rest, bicycle.
    Show explanation
    Needs: shelter, rest. Wants: video games, bicycle.
  5. Q5. Fill in the blank from the bottom of the poster: “Needs come ____. Wants are ____.”
    Show explanation
    “Needs come first. Wants are extra.” When money is limited, pay for needs before wants.
Concept 3 of 8

3. Earn, spend, save, share

SOMATH Little Newtons Class 11 Poster 3 — Earn, Spend, Save, Share. The four things we can do with money, each with age-appropriate examples for grades 1–2, plus a ‘Which would you choose?’ practice block with four examples (do a chore, buy a special treat, put money in a jar, give to your community).
SOMATH poster 3 — Earn, spend, save, share.

The poster says there are four important things we can do with money.

WordWhat it means (from the poster)Examples
EarnWe earn money by doing work, helping others, chores, or receiving an allowance.Allowance, chores, a job, or a gift for special work.
SpendWe spend money to buy things we need or want.Food, clothes, school supplies, toys, or a special treat.
SaveWe save money for the future, so we can reach our goals.Saving for a bike, a game, a trip, or college one day.
ShareWe share money by giving to help others or to a good cause.Donating to charity, helping a friend, or giving to a community cause.

“Which would you choose?” — the four examples on the poster

The bottom of the poster shows four everyday examples, one for each word:

  • Earn — do a chore and earn an allowance.
  • Spend — use money to buy a special treat.
  • Save — put money in a jar for something you want.
  • Share — give to help others in your community.
Money can do good things — for you and for others. Every dollar can be split among these four jobs.

Practice — 5 questions from this poster

  1. Q1. According to the poster, what are the four things we can do with money?
    Show explanation
    Earn, Spend, Save, and Share.
  2. Q2. Which of the four words means “we do work or chores and money comes to us”?
    Show explanation
    Earn. The poster says we earn money by doing work, helping others, chores, or receiving an allowance.
  3. Q3. Which of the four words is for money we use now to buy something?
    Show explanation
    Spend.
  4. Q4. Which of the four words is for money we keep for the future to reach a goal?
    Show explanation
    Save. The poster gives examples: a bike, a game, a trip, or college one day.
  5. Q5. On the ‘Which would you choose?’ block, which word matches the example “put money in a jar for something you want”?
    Show explanation
    Save. Putting money in a jar toward something you want later is saving. The other three examples on the poster are: Earn — do a chore and earn an allowance; Spend — use money to buy a special treat; Share — give to help others in your community.
Concept 4 of 8

4. What is a piggy bank?

SOMATH Little Newtons Class 11 Poster 4 — What Is a Piggy Bank? Deposit, withdrawal, and savings explained, plus a $1-a-week savings example: Week 1 $1, Week 2 $2, Week 3 $3, Week 4 $4.
SOMATH poster 4 — What is a piggy bank?.

The poster defines a piggy bank as “a place where we keep money safe for later.” It teaches three important money words:

  • Deposit — putting money in. Example from the poster: put $1 from your allowance into your piggy bank.
  • Withdrawal — taking money out. Example: take out money to buy a toy or a treat.
  • Savings — the money we keep for the future. Example: keep money in your piggy bank to reach a goal.

Small amounts add up

The poster shows a $1-a-week example: after Week 1 you have $1, after Week 2 you have $2, after Week 3 you have $3, and after Week 4 you have $4.

Why use a piggy bank?

  1. Keep money safe — your money stays in one place and is less likely to get lost.
  2. Save for a goal — you can save for something you really want, like a toy, book, or trip.
  3. Watch your savings grow — as you add more money, your piggy bank gets fuller and your dreams get closer.
Little coins make big dreams. Save today. Brighter tomorrows ahead.

Practice — 5 questions from this poster

  1. Q1. Fill in the blank from the poster: “A piggy bank is a place where we keep money ____ for later.”
    Show explanation
    Safe. “A piggy bank is a place where we keep money safe for later.”
  2. Q2. What word means putting money in?
    Show explanation
    Deposit.
  3. Q3. What word means taking money out?
    Show explanation
    Withdrawal.
  4. Q4. The poster shows a $1-a-week savings example. How much is in the piggy bank after Week 4?
    Show explanation
    $4. Week 1 = $1, Week 2 = $2, Week 3 = $3, Week 4 = $4.
  5. Q5. Name one reason (from the poster) to use a piggy bank.
    Show explanation
    Any one of: keep money safe (less likely to get lost), save for a goal (a toy, book, or trip), or watch your savings grow as you add more money.
Concept 5 of 8

5. Saving over time — reach a goal

SOMATH Little Newtons Class 11 Poster 5 — Saving Over Time to Reach a Goal. Four steps: 1) Choose a Goal (bike), 2) Save Regularly, 3) Watch It Grow (Week 1 $5, Week 2 $10, Week 3 $15, Week 4 $20), 4) Reach Your Goal.
SOMATH poster 5 — Saving over time — reach a goal.

This poster gives kids a 4-step plan for saving over time.

  1. Choose a Goal. Pick something you want to buy (the poster shows a bike).
  2. Save Regularly. Put aside a little money often. Even a small amount helps.
  3. Watch It Grow. Your savings add up over time. The poster shows: Week 1 = $5, Week 2 = $10, Week 3 = $15, Week 4 = $20.
  4. Reach Your Goal. Keep going, and you can buy it — “I did it!”

How the math works

The example on the poster is $5 saved every week. That gives:

  • Week 1: $5
  • Week 2: $5 + $5 = $10
  • Week 3: $10 + $5 = $15
  • Week 4: $15 + $5 = $20

This is skip counting by 5 — the same skip counting your child will practice again in Little Newtons Class 12.

Patience today. Bigger possibilities tomorrow. Set a goal, save a little regularly, and be proud of your progress.

Practice — 5 questions from this poster

  1. Q1. What are the four steps on the poster?
    Show explanation
    1) Choose a Goal, 2) Save Regularly, 3) Watch It Grow, 4) Reach Your Goal.
  2. Q2. In Step 1, what does the boy on the poster want?
    Show explanation
    A bike. The thought bubble says “I want a bike!”
  3. Q3. How much money is in the jar at Week 3?
    Show explanation
    $15. Week 1 = $5, Week 2 = $10, Week 3 = $15.
  4. Q4. How much money did the child save each week in the poster example?
    Show explanation
    $5 per week. That’s why the jar grows by $5 each week: $5 → $10 → $15 → $20.
  5. Q5. If the same child kept saving $5 a week for one more week, how much would be in the jar at Week 5?
    Show explanation
    $20 + $5 = $25.
Concept 6 of 8

6. Counting your savings — coins & dollars

SOMATH Little Newtons Class 11 Poster 6 — Counting Your Savings with coins and dollars. Coin values, a 1-2-3 how-to-count method, worked examples (1 quarter + 1 dime + 1 nickel = 40¢; 2 quarters = 50¢; 3 dimes + 2 pennies = 32¢; 1 dollar bill + 2 quarters = $1.50), and the money fact 100 cents = 1 dollar.
SOMATH poster 6 — Counting your savings — coins & dollars.

This poster teaches how to identify and count pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollar bills.

Meet the money

Coin / BillValue
Penny1 cent (1¢)
Nickel5 cents (5¢)
Dime10 cents (10¢)
Quarter25 cents (25¢)
1-Dollar Bill$1 = 100¢

How to count (poster’s 3-step method)

  1. Name the coin or bill. (“This is a quarter!”)
  2. Say its value. (“It’s worth 25 cents!”)
  3. Add the values together.

Worked examples from the poster

  • 1 quarter + 1 dime + 1 nickel = 25 + 10 + 5 = 40¢
  • 2 quarters = 25 + 25 = 50¢
  • 3 dimes + 2 pennies = 30 + 2 = 32¢
  • 1 dollar bill + 2 quarters = $1.00 + 50¢ = $1.50
Money fact: 100 cents = 1 dollar. Small coins can grow into big savings.

Practice — 5 questions from this poster

  1. Q1. How many cents are in $1?
    Show explanation
    100 cents. The poster says: 100 cents = 1 dollar.
  2. Q2. Count: 1 quarter + 1 dime + 1 nickel = ?
    Show explanation
    25 + 10 + 5 = 40¢ (this is the first example on the poster).
  3. Q3. Count: 2 quarters = ?
    Show explanation
    25 + 25 = 50¢ — that’s half a dollar.
  4. Q4. Count: 3 dimes + 2 pennies = ?
    Show explanation
    30 + 2 = 32¢.
  5. Q5. Count: 1 dollar bill + 2 quarters = ?
    Show explanation
    $1.00 + 50¢ = $1.50.
Concept 7 of 8

7. The 3-jar system — Save · Spend · Share

SOMATH Little Newtons Class 11 Poster 7 — The 3-Jar System: Save, Spend, Share. Divide money into three jars with the poster's $10 example: Save $5, Spend $3, Share $2.
SOMATH poster 7 — The 3-jar system — Save · Spend · Share.

The 3-Jar System is a simple way to plan what to save, what to spend, and what to share. You divide your money into three jars.

JarMeaning (from the poster)Examples
SAVEMoney you keep for later.A bike, a book, or a game.
SPENDMoney you use now.A snack, school supplies, or a small toy.
SHAREMoney you use to help others.Donating, helping a cause, or buying a gift.

How it works (4 steps on the poster)

  1. Get money — allowance, a gift, or chore money.
  2. Split it up — decide how to divide your money.
  3. Put money in each jar.
  4. Use your plan wisely — make good choices and feel proud.

Poster example: if you have $10

  • SAVE = $5
  • SPEND = $3
  • SHARE = $2

Total: $5 + $3 + $2 = $10. Every dollar has a job. The poster reminds kids: “Different amounts are okay — find what works for you.”

A smart plan for every dollar.

Practice — 5 questions from this poster

  1. Q1. Name the three jars on the poster.
    Show explanation
    SAVE, SPEND, and SHARE.
  2. Q2. Which jar is for “money you keep for later”?
    Show explanation
    SAVE. Examples on the poster: a bike, a book, or a game.
  3. Q3. Which jar is for “money you use now”?
    Show explanation
    SPEND. Examples on the poster: a snack, school supplies, or a small toy.
  4. Q4. The poster shows an example with $10. How does it split up?
    Show explanation
    SAVE = $5, SPEND = $3, SHARE = $2. Total: $5 + $3 + $2 = $10.
  5. Q5. The poster lists 4 steps for how the 3-jar system works. What is Step 1?
    Show explanation
    Get money (from an allowance, a gift, or chore money).
Concept 8 of 8

8. Everyday money decisions

SOMATH Little Newtons Class 11 Poster 8 — Everyday Money Decisions. Three questions to ask before buying — Can I afford it? Do I need it? Should I save instead? — with four practice items: ice cream $3, book $12, video game $50, sneakers $60.
SOMATH poster 8 — Everyday money decisions.

Before buying anything, this poster teaches kids to ask three questions:

  1. Can I afford it? Do I have enough money right now? How much does it cost?
  2. Do I need it? Needs help us stay healthy, safe, and alive.
  3. Should I save instead? Sometimes it’s better to save for something bigger and more special.

“Let’s Decide” — the four items on the poster

ItemPriceChoices
Ice Cream$3Buy now · Save instead · I don’t need it
New Book$12Buy now · Save instead · I don’t need it
Video Game$50Buy now · Save instead · I don’t need it
New Sneakers$60Buy now · Save instead · I don’t need it
Smart choices today, brighter tomorrow. Think before you spend. Make good choices. Save for your goals. Money helps you create a brighter future.

Practice — 5 questions from this poster

  1. Q1. Name the three questions the poster asks you to think about before buying.
    Show explanation
    1) Can I afford it? 2) Do I need it? 3) Should I save instead?
  2. Q2. You have $10 in your SPEND jar and the video game costs $50. Can you afford it?
    Show explanation
    No. $10 is less than $50, so you cannot afford it right now. You would need to save $40 more (or pick something you can afford).
  3. Q3. Your feet grew and your old sneakers don’t fit. The New Sneakers on the poster cost $60. Is this a need or a want?
    Show explanation
    A need. Shoes that fit are on the needs side (like on Poster 2). If your feet grew and old shoes don’t fit, new shoes are a need.
  4. Q4. You have $5 in your SPEND jar. The ice cream costs $3 and the new book costs $12. Which one can you afford today?
    Show explanation
    You can afford the ice cream ($3 is less than $5). The book costs $12, and $12 is more than $5, so you can’t buy the book yet — you would need to save $7 more.
  5. Q5. Fill in the poster’s ending: “Smart choices today, ______ tomorrow.”
    Show explanation
    Brighter. “Smart choices today, brighter tomorrow.”
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is a need vs. a want (for kids)?
A need is something we must have to live, be healthy, and stay safe — food, shelter, water, clothing, healthcare, and rest. A want is something we’d like to have but can live without — video games, toys, ice cream, a bicycle, a new phone, or a vacation. The poster’s rule: Needs come first. Wants are extra. (Source: Poster 2 in this class pack.)
What are the four things you can do with money?
Earn, Spend, Save, and Share. We earn money by working, helping others, or receiving an allowance. We spend money to buy things we need or want. We save money for the future to reach our goals. We share money by giving to help others or a good cause. (Source: Poster 3.)
What is the 3-jar system for kids?
The 3-jar system splits every dollar into three jars: SAVE (money you keep for later, like a bike, book, or game), SPEND (money you use now, like a snack or a small toy), and SHARE (money to help others). The poster’s starter example, using $10, splits into SAVE $5, SPEND $3, SHARE $2. Different amounts are okay — find what works for your family. (Source: Poster 7.)
How do you count coins and dollars?
Follow the 3-step method on Poster 6: (1) name the coin or bill, (2) say its value, and (3) add the values together. Coin values: penny 1¢, nickel 5¢, dime 10¢, quarter 25¢. And 100¢ = $1. Example from the poster: 1 quarter + 1 dime + 1 nickel = 25 + 10 + 5 = 40¢.
What questions should a child ask before buying something?
Poster 8 gives three questions: (1) Can I afford it? Do I have enough money right now, and how much does it cost? (2) Do I need it? Needs help us stay healthy, safe, and alive. (3) Should I save instead? Sometimes it’s better to save for something bigger and more special.
What age is this class pack for?
This class pack is designed for Little Newtons (grades 1–2) at SOMATH, roughly ages 6–8. Vocabulary, dollar amounts, and arithmetic all stay inside what a first- or second-grader can handle. Coin arithmetic and making change get more practice later in Class 30 (Money combinations).
Where does SOMATH meet, and how do I enroll?
SOMATH is on the Upper West Side at 226 W 79th St, 1st Floor, New York, NY 10024. Little Newtons meets in small in-person groups. To enroll or book a free evaluation, visit /schedule or call (646) 668-6151.

Ready to enroll?

SOMATH Little Newtons meets in small in-person groups at 226 W 79th St, 1st Floor, New York, NY 10024 (Upper West Side). Book a free evaluation and we’ll place your child at the right entry point in the rolling syllabus.

Book a free evaluation →   See the class schedule →   Call (646) 668-6151