Montessori Beads and Teen Bead Hanger: Our Purchase and Lessons

Well, we have 'officially' gotten past the number 10. Dont get me wrong, this isnt the first time that Mustang has ever heard the number 11. In fact, she can count to 100. But, in our lessons we have been following (Bob Jones K5) we are finally to #11. And, for me, it was time to change things up a bit.

Interestingly enough, I noticed that once you get to 11, good worksheets and lessons are much harder to find. We dont use the workbook that goes with our BJU curriculum, but I can see a copy of it in my teacher's manual. There is less time spent on 11 then any numbers 1-10. I also have a notebook of ESL worksheets from a great friend that we have used. For numbers 1-10 there are 4 worksheets for each number. Number 11, there is 1.

This approach doesnt make sense to me, as it would seem that 1-10 are the 'easy to memorize' facts, and 11 begins (though still quite simply) the beginning of understanding a concept rather then just a fact. It reminds me of the Sound of Music when Maria is teaching the song 'Do a Dear.' She starts off slow and gives them a great foundation and then rushes through do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti...then looks around to realize that she had lost the kids. The slow start wasnt enough, each sound had to be given attention. And, in my opinion, each number (or number set) needs to be given attention, too.

Up until now we had been using a Base Ten Unit starter set that we found FREE! at our homeschool swap this spring!! These are similar to the golden unit sets in Montessori, and I decided to just go with these. But, I decided it was time to purchase some Montessori Beads.

When I went to order, I was a bit overwhelmed at my choices. It was suggested, by The Girl Who Painted Trees (Adventures of Bear) to buy the Bead Decanomial so that I would have enough beads to make chains and other math processes.

I couldnt afford that box the day I ordered, so I went with the Checker Board Bead Set and a pack of 45 Golden Bead Bars. I hope I end up with enough beads, otherwise I will have to order more in the future.

Unlike some of the Montessori homeschool moms, I chose to order the

Teen Bead Hanger. I do believe that this could be homemade, but I have learned over the years that I am more of a buy all the stuff to make something and never actually make it kinda girl. So, I just bought the ready made hanger. I'm VERY glad I did.

I purchased both the colored bead stair control chart.

And the Teen Boards, Beads, and Worksheets from Montessori Print Shop.

When we first received our beads and hanger, I did a group presentation. You simply cant leave out anyone when such a beautiful material is out on the learning table, even if they arent 'ready' for the work. Since then, each of my children have worked with it in one way or another.

For Mustang, the numbers were review, but the idea of 10 and 1, 10 and 2, 10 and 3 was new. I enjoyed seeing her understanding the concept rather then just the number order. It has been useful in adding things outside of school.

This allowed me to change the order of the numbers and have her still do the work. She is beginning to understand that a number is its own property outside its place on the number line.

For Charger, I laminated a bead stair from the packet I downloaded at Montessori Print Shop. I had him match the beads to the stair, but they slid around and he was not impressed.

So I turned around our number tiles and wrote the numbers 1-9 on them as I had seen here. Hmm I guess I need to add 10-oops! And, oh my goodness, this turned a light bulb on. My puzzle man was in his zone! He quickly hung up 1-9 and then wanted to do it the 'right way.'

He flipped around all the tiles and did the teens like an old pro.

Check out that concentration.

Then he wanted to switch the number line and the tiles. So he did, matching each of the numbers in order. Later, he switched the numbers back again, did the single digits again and the teens again. Overall, he spent a good 45 minutes using the bead hanger. I dont think he has made the connection of remembering the order directly with each individual number, but I know that will come. I really enjoyed watching him work. He was so focused and excited to learn. It made every penny spent worth it!

Even Mini Cooper has been working with the bead hanger. She doesnt understand how it works at all, but she loves to hang the beads up and take them down. This has been GREAT hand eye coordination for her.

The Montessori beads and bead hanger have been a great addition to our learning materials. I look forward to many more math lessons with them! I hope my explanation has been helpful to those of you considering what to buy for your children. If you have any questions, let me know and I'll do my best to answer. I'm a newbie at this, too. If you have any tips for using these materials, I'd love to hear them!!

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God Bless!!