Start by showing students pictures of different coins. Display these on the interactive whiteboard and tell your class the name and value of each coin.
Hand around real coins. Let students feel the coins and talk about them. Point out their features, using the pictures on the whiteboard to help. Use toy money if you are unable to use real coins, but make sure it is as realistic as possible.
Have a pile of coins of the same type and value. Demonstrate counting these coins to your class. Separate your students into groups and give each group a pile of coins to count together.
Show students that some coins are worth more than others. Use pictures and real coins to demonstrate. Explain that one coin can be worth the same as several other coins together. Give each student a dollar, for example, and have him count out the equivalent in cents, dimes or quarters.
Give each student a pile of mixed coins and have them count up the total. Let students work in pairs or small groups if necessary.
Set up a class shop. Have a toy cash register and several items for sale. Let each student select an item and have her count out the correct amount of coins to purchase the item.
Have a coin treasure hunt. Hide a variety of toy coins around the classroom for students to find. Have students count up the coins they find and determine who has collected the highest amount. Show students that it is not necessarily the student who found the most coins, but could be the student who found the coins of the highest value.