Place Value with Seguin Boards

The Seguin boards visually demonstrate how two-digit numbers are composed of tens and units, bridging concrete bead work and abstract numeration.

• Framework: Montessori
• Unit: Mathematics
• Learning area: Number Concepts
• Level: Ages 4-6

Objectives

• Understand tens and units composition
• Read and form numbers 11-99
• Build place value understanding
• Connect quantity to symbol

Materials

• Seguin Board A (teens: 11-19)
• Seguin Board B (tens: 10-99)
• Golden bead ten-bars and units
• Number tickets

Instructions

1. Present Seguin Board A: printed 10s with slots. 2. Slide number card '1' over the 0 in 10 to make 11. 3. Build 11 with beads: one ten-bar and one unit. 4. Continue through 19. 5. Present Board B: slide number cards to form 21, 22... through 99. 6. Build each number with beads. 7. Practice random numbers: 'Make 47.'

Educator tip

The physical sliding of the unit digit over the zero powerfully demonstrates place value composition. Always pair with bead quantities.

Assessment

Child forms and reads two-digit numbers using Seguin boards and matches to bead quantities.

More from Mathematics

• Number Rod Matching with Numeral Cards
• Zero: The Empty Set
• Number Rods: Stair Building
• Sand Tray Numeral Writing
• Number Rods: Making Ten
• Short Bead Stair
• Number Rods and Counters
• Memory Game of Numbers