The Gazette
February 2017
Math Materials: Group 2
Math Materials: Group 2
A List of the Second Group Math Materials:
An Introduction to Quantities/the Decimal System,
An Introduction to Symbols, Associating Symbols and Quantities and the Operation (The Bank Game): Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division.
The Stamp Game
The Dot Game
This group of materials is appealing to the children because they are beautiful and delicate. These materials correspond to their Sensitive Periods; all of the materials are sensorial. The activities focus on something the child knows and isolate one quality at a time. This is what allows the child to develop what Maria Montessori called: The Mathematical Mind.
I will take you through each material in the 2nd group using lots of photos. Please, make sure you take a look at the end of the newsletter as there are some 'housekeeping' items to read about. Thank you!
The First Decimal System Tray: Lesson 1
The Decimal System work in the Children's House introduces the child to a numeral system, which organizes and classifies numerical quantities into different hierarchies of units. Essentially, these works provide your children with an opportunity to explore the system in a spontaneous and a sensorial way.
Once the child can count to ten with complete understanding and recognize symbols 1-9 and zero, he is ready more or less to begin this work. The child will need concentration, self-confidence and independence to carry out this work as well.
In general, this work is introduced before the teens and tens. A this stage, the child knows and can apply his knowledge of base 10 and learn that 10 units can be exchanged for one of the category above. Thanks to the child's sensitive period for order and classification, he will also get more of a thrill handling large quantities.
The following geometrical objects (golden beads) are used to study the Decimal System:
- 1 Golden Bead is a unit (point)
- 10 Golden Beads make a ‘bar of ten’
- 10 ‘bars of ten’ make a ‘hundred square’
- 10 ‘hundred squares’ make a ‘thousand cube’
Children are being exposed to the laws of the decimal system sensorially:
- There are only nine in each category
- There are three hierarchies in each level
- The ratio between one category and the next is1:10
- The ratio between one level and the next level is 1:1000
The First Decimal System tray with Symbols: Lesson 2, Association
The Second Decimal System Tray: Quantities and Symbols up to 1000, Lesson 3
Benjamin is setting up the the symbols for the 2nd Decimal System Tray: Lesson 3
Onya has prepared the quantities for the 2nd Decimal System Tray. Here she has been asked to get 5 'units' or ones.
Associating Quantities and Symbols
Working together to associate large quantities and symbols.
Children setting up symbols for the Addition Bank Game
This activity can take up to 45-60 minutes depending on the child's motivation, ability to work with others and desire to repeat the activity.
This work is done with one or two partners at least. Here we see Ethan and Ryan setting up the Large Symbols up to 9000. The Large symbols can represent the total number, the sum, subtrahend, product or dividend, depending on the operation. We also see JJ setting up two boxes of Small Symbols up to 3000 (which represent the addend).
On another mat, the children will need to place the Quantities (golden beads), which is often referred to as the 'bank'.
There will be one mat that is left empty and that is where the children will carry out the operation.
If we use the above example, all three boys will each need to set up a box of small symbols. When all the materials are set up, the teacher can give the children their symbols or if they have worked on the activity before they can create their own number.
The teacher always begins with a Static Addition. Therefore, the symbols that are given to the child can't exceed 9 when added together. For example, she may give Ryan 2351 and Ethan 2423 and JJ 1225. Next, the children will get their quantities and bring them to the empty mat. As a group, we check quantities. Then, the children place their quantities back onto their trays. On the count of three they empty their quantities onto the mat. Finally, we count how many ones, tens, hundreds and thousands we have.
We always begin by counting/adding the ones, then the tends, hundreds and thousands. The children will be asked to look for the large symbol that corresponds to the quantity. This is when the term 'Addition' is introduced. We have the small symbols placed at the top of the mat and underneath we place the large symbol, which represent the total of the three addends. I often say: All that you have brought has been put together, this is called addition.
The Bank game can be used to introduce all four operations.
Snapshots from an Addition Bank Game Exercise
Kindergarteners just finished working on a static subtraction.
The Bank Game: Subtraction
*the way the photo is taken, it is important to keep in mind that the children are sitting on the other side of the mat. Therefore, the thousands are represented on the far left side and the ones on the far right side.
The Stamp Game: Addition
The child learns the symbol for addition: +. She is also learning to write an equation on graph like paper. The child learns where the thousands, hundreds, tens and ones are written. The dark back line represents: =.
As with the Bank Game, we will begin with a static addition and then move onto a dynamic one (with making change).
Child is sliding tiles ( 2nd number) in equation.
The Dot Game
Miss Sandy
Housekeeping: Flowers, Dixie Cups, Carrots, Bananas, Oranges and Paper Towels
I just wanted to thank you for your lovely snacks! Every time, we have a visitor, they admire the healthy snacks we have. Thank you for your continued efforts with keeping snack peanut free.
Food Preparation works are still very popular and appreciated as well. The banana and carrot work provide children with another opportunity to have a small snack. Some of the children have asked about an orange squeezing work. If you would like to donate some oranges that would be wonderful!
In addition, we have had some very generous donations as far as paper towels and flowers are concerned. It would be fantastic and very much appreciated if you could please include a roll of paper towels when your child has his or her snack day. Paper towels are used after hand washing (in the classroom) and when children spill or clean tables. Thank you so much for your help!
If you haven't signed up for flowers this year school year, please consider bringing some flowers for the flower work. The children get a lot out of this work. It truly beautifies the room as well.