Learning Numbers

Montessori method for Preschool Math

DESCRIPTION OF MATERIALS:

• 1 piece of floor mat (1 metre by ½ metre)

• 10 wooden rods varying in length by 1 decimetre. The first rod is 1 decimetre long and the 10th rod is 10 decimeters (1 metre). The rods are coloured alternately red and blue in bands (or strips) of 1 decimetre. The first rod is red, the second rod is re-lue, the third rod is red-blue-red, etc.

• 1 set of numeral cards (1 to 10)

• To introduce the child to count 123 up to 10 using whole quantities, eg 3, as a whole.
  
• To make the child aware of the quantitative relationship eg 2 is more than 1 and 3 is more than 2, etc
  
• To make the child aware of the sequence 1 to 10 (if the stair is correctly built, the numbers will automatically be in the correct order)
  
• To make the child aware of the concept as an aggregate of 1’s (eg. The child can check this by counting the rods)
  
• To associate the correct numeral and match them with each Rod
  

CONTROL OF ERROR

• If the stair is correctly built the child will be able to name the rods from 1 to 10.

LANGUAGE / VOCABULARY

• 123……. to Ten, Number rods, numeral cards, quantity, count

APPROXIMATE AGE

• 4 – 4 ½ yrs onwards

This may be a group or individual activity.

Exercise One

1. Lay a floor mat
   
2. Carry the rods vertically with both hands – to the work place (mat)
   
3. Place the rods randomly on the mat
   
4. With the rod, build up a stair starting with the longest rod at the top
   
5. Repeat the process till kids can build the stair adequately

1. Lay the Rods randomly on the work mat (towards the left side)
   
2. Lay out the Cards at random towards the right side
   
3. Ask the child to look for a Rod eg. “The Quantity Five” rod
   
4. Count the sections on the rod to ensure it is the correct rod
   
5. Place the card “5” at the right end of the rod
   
6. Proceed to another rod and match randomly
   

Variations:

• Begin with the Rod
  
• Begin with the Cards
  
• Begin by calling out a number (from abstract to concrete)
  
• Built the Number Rods in sequence and match the Numeral Cards
  

Other Creative Counting Ideas

• Use a dice and numeral cards (1 – 6)
  
• Use counters (bottle caps, candies, lego blocks…etc) and numeral cards
  
• Use sticks and stones with numeral cards
  
• Use actions
  
• Use everyday objects
  
• Use colors around the house or school
  
• Observe outdoor items – buses, cars, traffic lights, etc
  

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