Snake Game: Addition

The snake game develops addition fluency through a game format. Children learn to spot combinations that make ten, building mental math.

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

Objectives

• Practice addition with exchanging
• Build addition fact automaticity
• Understand tens as units of exchange
• Develop mental math skills

Materials

• Colored bead bars (1-9)
• Golden ten-bars
• Black and white counting strip
• Felt snake body
• Work mat

Instructions

1. Create a 'snake' by laying colored bead bars end-to-end. 2. Count from beginning: when you reach 10, exchange colored bars for golden ten-bar. 3. Place black-and-white strip to mark your place. 4. Continue counting from remaining beads. 5. Exchange again at next 10. 6. Final answer: ten-bars plus remaining units.

Educator tip

Children learn to spot 'friends of ten' (7+3, 6+4, 8+2) naturally through this game. Speed develops with practice.

Assessment

Child completes snake game exchanges accurately and efficiently.

More from Mathematics

• Division Board
• Place Value with Numeral Cards
• Geometric Shape Exploration: Sides and Corners
• Addition Facts: Making Ten
• Graphing and Data Collection
• Subtraction Strip Board
• Introduction to Greater Than and Less Than
• Odd and Even Numbers