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SeaStar
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| Posted: Nov 23 2007 at 8:14am | IP Logged
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After much prayerful consideration and procrastination, I have decided to go ahead and go "full Montessori" for math. Taking Karen's class has helped me so much as far as breaking it all down into manageable steps- I feel like I just might be able to handle the math after all.
Now I am getting ready to order, and I need some advice as far as how many and what groups of the golden beads to order- how many single units? ten bars? hundred squares? thousand cubes?
Karen has suggested 11 units of each except the thousand cube (just one of those). But I have noticed that most companies sell them in groups of nine. Those of you who have been using the beads- what has worked best for you in doing the presentations?
Also- a couple of other questions...
Are colored bead bars the same as the bead stairs (1-9?) Can you get by with just one set or would it be more helpful to have more?
And what exactly is a cubing chain? A squaring chain? I've looked online and can't find anything specifically called a cubing or squaring chain. What else might I use for the same purpose?
I think I am going to buy all the bead material instead of trying to make my own- I just don't feel like I would ever get all the beads strung or be happy with my thousand cube if it turned out lopsided. I was looking at Montessori Concepts for the beads- does anyone have a different company that they loved for the beads?
Thanks- I feel like we're about to be off on a great math adventure!
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Nov 23 2007 at 8:59am | IP Logged
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Hi Melinda!
I have to say, the golden bead materials have been our number one best investment. They are fabulous.
I got mine from Montessori Outlet and they are excellent quality. You can see pics of them on my blog, but my site is down today for maintenance. They really are beautiful, though.
I got a set called intro to decimal quantity (I think). It has 9 of the units, tens, and hundreds, and one thousand cube. That is what I use most of the time, along with the large numeral cards.
I also bought an extra set of unit beads (a box of 100), and a set of 9 wooden thousand cubes to extend the set. We definitely use the extra thousand cubes almost daily, and dd picked up right away on the fact that they represent the same quantity as the beaded thousand cube.This has taken care of all of the presentations so far, and should carry us a bit further, but I have discovered that I need some more ten bars to do the bank game, for exchanging.
The bead stairs and colored bead bars are the same thing. A stair is simply a set of 1-9. I made my own set of ten, but I think I will go ahead and purchase an entire decanomial (set of 45? of bars 1-10) soon. That will also take care of my need for more ten bars. I think one stair will be ok for the teens and tens activities, but for adding and subtracting, snake game, etc you will need more than one set. You'll also need a black/white stair for that.
The squaring and cubing chains are the same as the short and long bead chains. They are not necessary for us at this stage, but the short chains will be useful when we get to multiplication, for skip counting. I am not sure we will need the long chains at all, but if so, it will be a long way off.
I hope that helps!
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Nov 23 2007 at 9:58am | IP Logged
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Thank you, Theresa, that is hugely helpful. Ds just turned five, and so I want to get going on the math. I am going to sit down tonight and put together an order. One of the sites- I think it is MO- has a sale going on through Nove. 30- extra 25% off.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Nov 23 2007 at 10:02am | IP Logged
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Melinda - I don't have a lot of time - we're about to drive up to Mom's for the second half of Thanksgiving. I did want to respond to you quickly though because golden bead ordering was the most confusing thing I did, but it has been the most fruitful in terms of the Montessori things we've done.
I ordered from Montessori Concepts because of budget reasons. I have seen the beads from Montessori Outlet that Theresa has (ALMom also ordered hers from there) and they are prettier I think. But mine are functional, and they are still attractive. Don't know if that helps at all, but I thought I'd mention the comparison.
I ordered the decimal tray which has been multifunctional, some bead stairs, thousand cubes, extra hundred bars, and the addition snake game.
I WISH I had ordered (and plan to order when budget allows) a decanomial set. That gives you plenty of (1-10) beads to do a variety of different presentations. We are lacking in enough individual beads for some of the things we want to do, and this set would address that. It's an investment, but I have missed having it, and we need it. Also, I wish I had ordered a 100 chain and a 1000 chain. Now, I have a 2nd grader so we may be doing more elem. presentations than you are, but they are on my soon to be purchased list. Great visual for quantities.
Quick answer to your questions - though I think Theresa might have already answered. I just skimmed.
Yes, colored beads are the same as bead stairs. If you buy the decanomial set - you will be set for all of those.
I got nine thousand cubes. My 11 yo uses them and so does my 7yo for place value exercises. I'm sure there are other applications I haven't hit on with those yet.
Not sure either about the cubing/squaring chain??? Could that be the hundred and thousand chains?? I suggest those!
Lastly, I liked Montessori Concepts and their cust.svc. as well as the quality of their beads and wood containers. Do put some thought into your source for beads because likely you'll order a bit to start with, and then later you may want to add and you'll want to add from the same source.
Gotta run - the family is ready to load up - I just couldn't resist your M'sori bead qu. How fun!!! I'm excited for you guys. You will be glad you invested I promise!
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Nov 23 2007 at 10:04am | IP Logged
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Oh - one more thing - purchase extra individual beads!!! You'll be glad you did. Several of ours already live down the heat registers as that is a favorite thing for the 2yo to do - listen to the gold bead as it travels down the duct work! 
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Jen Mackintosh
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Nov 23 2007 at 12:51pm | IP Logged
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Oh, I forgot about the hundred and thousand chains. We have those and the hundred chain has been very useful. We have not used the thousand chain yet because dd isn't ready, but will be soon. Meredith had a great post on that awhile back. I printed up the arrows from online to save $$.
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Theresa
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Angel
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| Posted: Nov 23 2007 at 4:42pm | IP Logged
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We don't have the golden bead material, but... I just ordered the decanomial from Alison's and was a bit disappointed in the "golden" bead ten bars... our beads from Montessori Outlet are much prettier, and, well, more golden. The one from Alison's were brown. I guess maybe I'm being picky, but it was a little disappointing. Alison's was cheaper, though, which is why I ordered the decanomial set from them.
--Angela
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Nov 23 2007 at 4:44pm | IP Logged
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That's good to know about the decanomial from Alison's. I think I will stick with MO for all my bead materials so that they match up.
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Theresa
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Nov 23 2007 at 5:37pm | IP Logged
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Angel wrote:
| We don't have the golden bead material, but... I just ordered the decanomial from Alison's and was a bit disappointed in the "golden" bead ten bars... our beads from Montessori Outlet are much prettier, and, well, more golden. The one from Alison's were brown. I guess maybe I'm being picky, but it was a little disappointing. Alison's was cheaper, though, which is why I ordered the decanomial set from them. |
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That is good to know- I hadn't considered bead color. I didn't even realize they might vary that much between companies. I have to admit  that I was just going to go for the cheapest place to order from, thinking a bead was a bead was a bead. Maybe I'll go for the MO beads if the cost difference isn't too high. Thanks so much for all the information- it has been more helpful than I can say!
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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happymama
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| Posted: Nov 24 2007 at 9:07am | IP Logged
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Because i've made and fixed a lot of rosaries in the past, I already had the supplies I needed & made our "limited" bead material - 9 ten beads & 10 hundred squares. I used black beads because I had a plentiful supply. When we got into Karen's presentations which needed more than this, we have actually used our Cuisenaire rods (the single units & 10 bars) to supplement. I made 3 sets of small numbers and 1 set of larger numbers easily out of posterboard. I LOVE Karen's presentations, and I spent hardly any $ on our supplies.
I did, however, buy 100 & 1000 chains from Alison's bargain basement and was VERY pleased with them - and my 4ds LOVED those activities. (I also bought the arrows from Alisons, they weren't on sale but were worth buying.)
I'm also considering purchasing Right Start Math curriculum. I'm thinking that Karen's presentations will prepare my son (who thrives on manipulatives) with a great foundation. Good luck with your decisions!
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Nov 30 2007 at 8:54pm | IP Logged
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Alison's has the intro to the decimal system on clearance for $20, so I wound up buying two of those- for $40 I will have a good assortment and number of beads and bars. I ordered working off Karen's "must have" math list and your recommendations. Thanks for your help!
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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BrendaPeter
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| Posted: April 08 2008 at 8:22pm | IP Logged
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SeaStar wrote:
I ordered working off Karen's "must have" math list and your recommendations. |
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Where do you get Karen's list?
Thank you!
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Blessings,
Brenda (mom to 6)
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SeaStar
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| Posted: April 09 2008 at 7:58pm | IP Logged
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BrendaPeter wrote:
SeaStar wrote:
I ordered working off Karen's "must have" math list and your recommendations. |
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Where do you get Karen's list?
Thank you! |
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Hi, Brenda-
Karen teaches an on-line Montessori class that has you building Montessori albums to use at home. link
For her math album, she gave out a list of recommended "must-have" items (vs making them yourself),
I tried to order all the "must-haves" in one fell swoop to save on shipping, but now I wish I would have waited and ordered on an as needed basis. I wound up buying things we might not be using for a year or more. I still find the math supplies confusing to order and use, but I'm plugging away at it.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: Need help ordering golden beads
