Short Bead Stair

The Short Bead Stair gives each number 1-9 a concrete form with distinctive color. Children can see and feel quantities.

• Framework: Montessori
• Unit: Mathematics
• Learning area: Counting & Quantity
• Level: Ages 3-5

Objectives

• Associate quantity with number
• Develop visual-tactile number sense
• Build foundation for skip counting
• Prepare for operations

Materials

• Short Bead Stair: colored bead bars 1-9
• Each quantity has distinctive color
• Felt mat for working

Instructions

1. Present bead bars in order. 2. Count beads on each bar. 3. Associate: '1 is red, 2 is green...' 4. Three-period lesson for names. 5. Build stair formation. 6. Find bars to make 10.

Educator tip

The color coding becomes important in later work. Help children learn the color-quantity associations.

Assessment

Child identifies quantities 1-9 and builds stair in order.

More from Mathematics

• Teen Board
• Ten Board (Tens Board)
• Hundred Chain
• Golden Beads: Introduction
• Addition Strip Board
• Subtraction Strip Board
• Stamp Game
• Fraction Circles