How to Teach Beginning Addition Using Montessori Golden Beads

Simple addition can be clearly demonstrated by compiling separate trays of golden beads.

Beginning addition is simple addition that does not require "carrying" or exchanging values. In the Montessori curriculum, students learn to recognize and manipulate large numbers very early. As a result, they are able to do simple addition with numbers as high as 9,999 using number cards and Montessori golden beads. You will need to work with a student at first to show him how to use the golden beads to physically create an addition problem. Once he understands how the process works, then you can let him work problems on his own or assign them to him as you go. This can also be taught as a group lesson.

Things You'll Need

• Montessori golden beads
• Large number cards
• Small number cards
• 2 felt lined trays
• 2 large green mats

Instructions

1. Arrange all the materials. All of the golden beads should be placed on one mat. They should be grouped in thousand cubes, hundred squares, ten bars and unit beads. If you wish, place a child in charge of the golden beads. The number cards should be laid out on the other green mat so that the ones are farthest right, then the tens, then the hundreds and then the thousands.

2. Select two numbers that can be added together without any "carrying" or "exchanging." None of the digits in the numbers should equal ten or more when added together. For example, you might use 1, 245 and 4, 211. These numbers should each be built using small number cards in separate felt lined trays.

3. Have a child build each of the numbers with the golden beads. They can take the felt lined tray over to the mat with the golden beads and assemble the numbers there. For example, the child with 1,245 should return with 1 thousand cube, 2 hundred squares, 4 ten bars and 5 unit beads. The child with the tray holding 4, 211 should return with 4 thousand cubes, 2 hundred squares, 1 ten bar and 1 unit bead. Do not check the children's work at this time, as this can result in long delays in the action and also can make shyer students hesitant to participate. Assume that the golden bead work is right.

4. Assemble the problem. You should take the entire tray from the first student, saying, for example, "Jane, you have brought us 1 thousand, 2 hundreds, 4 tens, 5 beads." As you are speaking, take the beads and the small number cards off the tray and arrange them so that the small number cards are at the top of the mat and the golden beads are underneath. With the second tray, you will say, for example, "Joe, you have brought us 4 thousands, 2 hundreds, 1 ten, 1 bead." As you are speaking, arrange the number cards directly under the first set of number cards and the golden beads under the first set of golden beads.

5. Push the two quantities together for counting. Start out with the unit beads, saying, "Here we have 1 thousand, 2 hundreds, 4 tens, 5 beads and 4 thousands, 2 hundreds, 1 ten, 1 bead. Now, we will add them together. First, I will add units." As you are speaking, shove the units together. Then do the same with the tens, hundreds and thousands while indicating what hierarchy you are pushing together.

6. Tally the new number. Have the children count the units, the tens, the hundreds and the thousands and assign number cards to each one. In this case, once the number cards are assigned you should have a 6 card beside the units, a 50 card beside the ten bars, a 400 card beside the hundred squares and a 5,000 card beside the thousand cubes.

7. Stack the number cards to get the final sum. As you do so, explain what happened by saying, "We had 1 thousand, 2 hundreds, 4 tens, 5 beads and 4 thousands, 2 hundreds, 1 ten, 1 bead. We added them together and made 5,456."

Tips & Warnings

• You can finish this lesson by teaching the math terminology if you wish. Point to the two smaller numbers made with small number cards while saying, "This is an addend. This is also an addend." Then point to the result and say, "This is the sum." You can review this with the children to test their recall.