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10.27.2010

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Presentation:  Numbers & Counters


Beads.
I love beads.
Especially glass ones that shine so vibrantly.
They feel nice and cool between your fingers.
Weighted, smooth, flat on one side, domed on the other.

Last week, blue beads.
This week, red beads...plus some numbers.
This is a home-made "knock-off" of a classic Montessori counting tool:  Numbers & Counters

Wow.  Our 1st official HapaLab "Math" Tool!

The Goal:
Sight recognition of numbers, reinforce the sequence of 1 - 10.
Give a perceptual experience of quantity as a collection of separate objects.
Introduce the concept of Odd & Even.
More pincher skill maturation in arranging glass beads.

The Set Up:
1)  A container for the numbers (We used a glass bowl)
2)  A container for the count markers (We used a wooden box at first, then switched to a basket)
3)  Numbers 1-10 Characters (Can be wood or paper cut outs)
4)  Counting Markers: 55 (We used red glass beads, can be wood or paper cut outs)
The traditional tool uses wood numbers & wood counters painted red.

The Presentation:
1)  Roll out a floor work mat
2)  Bring the tray with all items assembled
3)  Start laying out the numbers at random on mat.
4)  Counting aloud "One, Two..." and start picking up the matching number and placing them in a row from left to right.
5)  Take out one bead, say "1", place the bead under the character.
6)  Continue to two, and start to form 2 columns (pairs) under the character while counting aloud.
7)  Keep going until all numbers are done, placing one bead at a time.
8)  Note that the Odd numbers have a bead placed between the last 2 beads side by side.  This is to teach the recognition of Odd numbers by looking down the line of numbers and distinguishing ones that have a single bead at the end of the chain.  The ones that don't have this single bead is Even.
9)  Once complete, replace all materials into the bowls or containers.
10)  Invite the child to try.



We decided to just start with numbers 1 - 5.  
Once we've got that down, we'll extend the exercise to 10.


This is still abit trying for Zo right now.  
He'll get it on good days as shown, and will appear to have gotten the idea of imitating the placement of the beads in the way I've demonstrated.  
However, it does not seem that he has yet connected the characters as the actual representation of what he has counted out in beads, at lease not all five yet.

So we'll be looking to grow with this one!

1 comment:

  1. isn't it interesting how the concept of counting and numbers are so hard to learn? We take it so much for granted. The kids all learn how to count early, but it takes them a long time to associate 1 item with 1 number. And then associate 1 roman numeral with the actual count. I'm waiting for that "aha!" moment with k.

    Oh, and if you wanted to see my blog, just follow the link for my account.

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