Learning Resources LER 2629 User Manual

Activity

Calculator

Cash Register

Guide

The Pretend and Play®Calculator Cash Register encourages
children to learn basic math and calculator skills while it enhances
imaginary play. This unique educational toy features a working
calculator that will familiarize children, from pre-school age up, with
the use of a calculator while they play. The large buttons on the
keypad are easy for little hands to press and the cash draw is
large enough to hold life-size bill and coins.

Children will naturally learn to add and subtract when they use the
Calculator Cash Register for pretend and play, selling products in
their ”store”, ringing up purchases and making change.

Calculator Activities

Calculator features:

• Calculator runs on solar power

• Extra large buttons for small hands to manipulate

• An eight digit display

• Error function to show entry mistakes

• Repetitive equal sign for multi-item purchases

• Negative function for teaching integers

• Student entered order of operations for learning skills

LER 2629

Preschool Age Children

Preschool age children will appreciate the realism the working
calculator adds to imaginative play. Although preschool age
children are not developmentally ready to fully utilize all of the
calculator features, playing with the Calculator Cash Register
will help them become familiar with the keys and numerals on
the calculator.

Numerals 1 through 9

Enter the number one, and show children the one on the display.
Then have children enter the number. Repeat with other numbers.
Demonstrate how children can enter numbers larger than nine. As
children becomes adept at copying your numbers, they will begin
entering numbers of their own. Call out a number for children to
enter on the calculator.

Counting Pennies

Count out pennies from the cash drawer. Encourage children to
enter the number of pennies you count out. With practice, children
will be able to enter the amount of pennies that they have counted
themselves.

Beginning Addition

Use the calculator for beginning addition. Use pennies, blocks,
or other counters to help children visualize the addition process.
Group counters into piles that are less than ten. Count one pile
and enter its total into the register. Count the other pile and add it
to the first. Show children how the calculator added the two piles
together. Push the counter piles together and check the
calculator’s addition.

School Age Children

Let’s Go Shopping!

You Need:

Calculator Cash Register
Money
Empty grocery boxes

and containers
Play fruits
Play foods
Shopping bags
Coupons

To Play:

Create a ”supermarket” by arranging products on shelves, the
floor, on tables, or even on a row of chairs! Put prices on items for
sale. (Keep prices in the single digits for young children. Use
double digits and dollars for older children.) Make a shopping list
and use coupons. Encourage children to take turns being
shoppers or the check-out person. Both jobs are fun!

Use language to reinforce learning as you play: ”Oh, you’ve
bought 5 cans of peas!” or ”I’m sorry, you gave me less money
than I need. Could I please have a dollar more?” Don’t limit your
language to real life, use your imagination! This can be very
entertaining (and educational) for all ages. Adult participation adds
excitement and richness that can’t be duplicated.

School age children are ready to begin working with the calculator.
Use the calculator to augment basic math facts, not replace them.

How Many

Use the multiplication feature of the calculator to determine how
many fingers there are in the class-room. Count the children in the
room and multiply by ten. Use the same method to calculate how
many eyes there are in the classroom.

How Old are We

Use the calculator to add the ages of everyone in the classroom.

Shoe Store

You Need:

Calculator Cash Register
Money
Ruler
Assorted men’s, women’s,

children’s and baby’s shoes

To Play:

Help children set up a shoe shop! Jumble shoes into a pile and let
the children sort them into pairs and arrange them by size. Place
the shoes on the floor or on shelves for viewing. Suggest prices
for shoes based on their appearance and type. (Use single digit