Prodigy wizard shops maths mission

Quick answer

You can use money skills to solve problems in a Wizard Shop by adding, subtracting, and comparing prices to buy the right spells and potions.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to use addition and subtraction to solve money problems in a wizard shop, like buying spells, potions, and magical items.

• I can add up prices to find the total cost of items
• I can subtract to find how much money is left after a purchase
• I can compare prices to decide which item is more or less expensive
• I can use real money or pretend money to practice shopping

Why this matters

Learning about money helps you understand how to spend wisely, save for things you want, and solve problems when shopping. In the Wizard Shop, you’ll use maths to buy the right magic items, just like you do in real shops!

Whether you're planning a birthday party, saving for a new toy, or helping your family with shopping, knowing how to add and subtract money is a superpower you can use anywhere!

How it works

Buying things in a wizard shop uses addition and subtraction. Here's how it works:

1. Find the prices of the items you want to buy
2. Add up the prices to find the total cost
3. Subtract the total from the money you have to see how much is left
4. Compare prices to choose the best deal

Let’s imagine you're a wizard in a shop and you want to buy some magic spells and potions!

Examples you can see

Let’s look at some examples from a wizard shop:

Example 1: Adding prices

You want to buy a Fireball Spell for £3 and a Healing Potion for £5.

How much do you spend?

You spend £8 in total.

Example 2: Subtracting money

You have £10. You buy the Fireball Spell (£3) and the Healing Potion (£5).

How much money do you have left?

You have £2 left.

Example 3: Comparing prices

There are two potions:

• Strength Potion: £4
• Speed Potion: £6

Which one is more expensive?

The Speed Potion costs more because £6 > £4.

Try it as a mini adventure

Imagine you are a young wizard in a Wizard Shop and you have £15 to spend. You want to buy:

1. A Lightning Bolt Spell for £4
2. A Dragon Scale Shield for £7
3. A Wand of Wisdom for £3

Step 1: Add up the prices to find the total cost.

Step 2: Subtract the total from your £15 to see how much you have left.

Step 3: Decide which item you can buy if you don’t have enough money for everything.

Can you solve this wizard shop challenge?

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Adding prices but forgetting to include the pence (like £2.50 + £1.25 = £3.75).
  Why it happens: Not paying attention to decimal points or using coins incorrectly.
  Fix: Always write money in pounds and pence, and double-check your addition.
• Mistake: Subtracting the wrong way (like £10 - £8 = £18).
  Why it happens: Confusing addition and subtraction or making a simple mistake.
  Fix: Use a number line or count backwards to check your subtraction.
• Mistake: Thinking that £5 is more than £10 because 5 is bigger than 1.
  Why it happens: Not understanding that the number of pounds matters more than the digits.
  Fix: Always compare the pounds first, then the pence if needed.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child practice money skills in a fun way by:

1. Setting up a pretend wizard shop at home with items priced in £ and pence
2. Letting your child choose items and calculate the total cost
3. Using real coins and notes to make it feel real
4. Playing games like "How much change would you get?"
5. Encouraging your child to compare prices and choose the best deal

What to say:

• "How much would it cost to buy a spell and a potion?"
• "Can you work out how much money is left?"
• "Which item costs the most? Which costs the least?"

What not to worry about:

• It's okay if they make mistakes — they're learning!
• Don't rush — let them think through each step
• Keep it playful and fun, not like a test

Practice questions

1. You buy a Healing Potion for £3 and a Spell Book for £5. How much do you spend?
2. You have £10. You buy a Fireball Spell for £4. How much money is left?
3. A Dragon Egg costs £6. A Phoenix Feather costs £8. Which costs more?
4. You have £12. You buy a Shield for £5 and a Wand for £4. How much money is left?
5. You want to buy a Spell for £2 and a Potion for £3. How much do you need?

Answers:

1. £8
2. £6
3. Phoenix Feather
4. £3
5. £5

FAQ

How can I practice money skills at home?

You can set up a pretend shop with toys or food items and use play money to practice buying and paying.

Why do I need to know about money?

Money helps you buy things you need and want, and it teaches you to make smart choices about how to spend and save your money.

Can I use this wizard shop idea in other games?

Yes! You can use the same idea in any game or role-play where you buy and sell items, like a lemonade stand or a pretend supermarket.

What if I don’t have real money?

You can use play money, coins, or even draw money on paper to practice your skills.

How can I make it more fun?

Make it a story! Imagine you’re a wizard, a shopkeeper, or a treasure hunter. Adding a story makes learning more exciting!