Montessori Math is Changeing
Montessori Math is the really one of the most iconic parts of the whole method. We all know and love the golden bead work, the rods, and the bead bars. They have taught thousands and thousands of young children to understand and love math! Here it is no different. Bunny loves math and Pup is starting to as well. However, as Bunny got older, the work of keeping up with all of the threads of the Montessori math work was too hard for me. So in order to keep up with her learning, I needed to find a curriculum. We started using Miquon math and she has been so happy! Miquon uses manipulative in their book, but the beads don’t always work. So we got the rods that the book uses, and Bunny loves them more then the beads! The beads are just like the bead bars, but with different colors. Much like the number rods, they are in metric units and get bigger with each number. So the one unit is one square centimeter. The two is 1×2 cm. You get the idea! There is no way to count the rod, but there is a ruler with a track that will show you the number of each rod. We use it to show the numbers changing with the functions too. Since Bunny loves these so much and I know Pup will start the same math as Bunny in first grade, I thought that it would be easier to show Pup her numbers with the rods instead of beads. With a slight bit of modification, the same Montessori presentations work out perfectly! We are working on the teens board and then we are going to start the golden beads (I will switch out the 10 bar for an orange 10 rod. With the other wooden 100s, and 1000s it will work out perfectly). She is very excited about both and I for one am happy to see her interested in math! I think that her ability to use the rods, like her sister, is a big motivator! Here are some pictures from her work with the rods this week!
So there you have our new favorite math material! I really think that they can be used as an alternative to the beads. One advantage is that they can be laid next to each other easily without rolling all over. Plus they stack into all sorts of fun ways (play is learning after all). And finally, they are SOOOOO much less expensive and teach the same things as the Montessori beads. A child quickly memorizes the colors of the Montessori beads and that is a part of learning the math. They do that with the rods as well. With the track they can easily see the number and count the sections below the number to “see” it. The rods we use are Cuisenaire Rods. You can see them here! Check it out and let me know what you think! Maybe it will make your Montessori math experience easier and less expensive! Happy Counting! 😉 I linked up to Montessori Monday! Stop by to see some amazing learning ideas!
January 11, 2014 @ 3:42 am
We love Miquon ! It is a great fit with Montessori and very child led.
January 12, 2014 @ 12:20 am
So true Julie! The program is really great. I used to hate it because I had a hard time understanding it. My mom used it for all of my younger brothers and sister with great success. When I decided to try it for Bunny, she got it instantly! At least I have the guild book for when I get stuck! 😉
January 11, 2014 @ 5:10 am
I love the rods! 🙂 I will have to remember this for the future – sometimes, I find my children enjoying something that teaches the same concept, but with new, fresh material to do it, and I’m sure I’m not the only one!
January 12, 2014 @ 12:18 am
You are so very right! When we started using these, I was starting to think that Bunny was going to hate math forever. For some reason the beads were just not working in her mind and she was frustrated. These were able to teach the same thing, but somehow better for her! I am happy she loves math again! Now I need to find something to do with all the beads I bought! I guess I will have to sell a few things!
January 14, 2014 @ 2:55 am
I was able to sell my beads very quickly, so you shouldn’t have a problem!
January 14, 2014 @ 3:06 am
Oh good to know! Thanks so much Julie!
December 19, 2014 @ 2:17 am
Montessori has the same wooden bars (called counting bars) …. the difference is that they are in the colors that correspond to Montessori bead bars.