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mooreboyz
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| Posted: Jan 30 2009 at 7:37am | IP Logged
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I started doing math the montessori way with my son when he was 3 and he has progressed just wonderfully and understands higher numbers like I never imagined little people could. He is 4 now and can make large numbers up to the 1000s with materials and number cards when I ask him to and can add and subtract single digits on his own (using worksheets or in games) and large numbers to the 1000s using materials (no borrowing) if I'm working with him. He also loves the 100 chain and 1000 chain. He will do skip counting with beads as well.
My question is how can I set out Math for him to work on independently? He will do simple math on worksheets which is fine, but I'd like to let him get more practice using the beads and bars and cubes and adding/subtracting with them. I like the store game that is one of the montessori lessons and I've done that with him...but, again that has me involved. What can I put on the shelf for him to do?
Thanks!
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Jackie
7 boys - 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 15, 17 years
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CatholicMommy
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| Posted: Jan 30 2009 at 9:39am | IP Logged
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One thing I've seen in a Montessori classroom (run by a teacher trained several years ago - and I've not yet seen these in "newer" classrooms) - are set of cards with problems on them - for the children to choose one and do that problem with the beads. One set for every operation (actually 2 sets for every operation - one set for borrowing/carrying and the other not). Hers were on paper and needed cutting and such, but I plan to make some similar, but laminated so they can be used over and over. So it's like a worksheet, but the rule is to at least "check" the answer with the beads.
This way, you as the teacher are not the one coming up with problems all of the time.
HTH
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acystay
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| Posted: Jan 30 2009 at 10:41am | IP Logged
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A few other things you could do would be to introduce the snake game to him and making tens. My son really liked the making tens. I have him pull out a 10 bar and match up all the 2 combos that make ten.
I also do the addition strip board with my son. He started at 4 1/2. I printed out the addition equations from Livable Learning . I have pick an equation and then do the problem with the tiles and match the number answer.
He also likes building pyramids with his bead material. He just does this on his own. I taught him to count out each layer. 10-10 bars, 9-9 bars, etc. He loves building these.
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mooreboyz
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| Posted: Jan 30 2009 at 10:58am | IP Logged
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Thanks for the suggestions. I printed out the equations from livable learning, but I think they are too easy for him now and he never chooses them anymore. He did like the snake game and making 10s when I did it with him. How do you set it up for him to do himself? I mean I could tell him to do it, but is there a way to put it on the shelf? Maybe this is too simple for him anyway. Maybe it is time for multiplication or simple algebra? Or would adding 10s and 100s come first? I've been working a little with that doing the store game, but I want him to be able to do it independently.
I made the checkerboard last weekend, but am still perfecting my presentations. I figure he can do it and his older bros can use it for mult..
Any other ideas...I want something visually exciting.
Thanks again.
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Jackie
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CatholicMommy
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| Posted: Jan 30 2009 at 12:35pm | IP Logged
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If he can independently do adding and subtracting 4 digit numbers without borrowing, then he could move to multiplication and division without borrowing OR adding/subtracting with borrowing... Having cards out with 4 digit problems should allow for independence - and tell him to make up his own as well. He can write them down to show you later if you/he like.
The snake game should be fairly independent once it is presented the first time; there are additional things that can be presented with it once the first steps are mastered.
It may be that he is used to you being there to help him, so it may just be a process towards full independence in choosing and working with the materials. Perhaps you'll need to give some direction, general or specific ("do something in math" or "choose and complete 3 addition problems, one with borrowing" - or anything in between).
For visual interest, assure that some things are color-coded and displayed beautifully. For example, the above problem cards could be backed on their color coordinated paper (red for adding, green for subtraction, blue for multiplication and yellow for division) and displayed forward-facing on the shelf. Group together the concepts he'll be focusing on so he can easily see the connections (what goes with what).... I'll think of some more ideas whem my son (also 4) stops begging me to present a language item to him (which won't happen until I do it!). 
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mooreboyz
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| Posted: Jan 30 2009 at 4:13pm | IP Logged
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Thanks, Catholic Mommy! I've just been spending a lot of time and inspiration on practical life and animal type activities lately...I was having a block thinking of what to do with math. You gave me some things to think about and got my creative juices going. He loves working independently and feels like he's doing important work. If it isn't laid out in a fun way on the shelf though, it doesn't get chosen. I'm going to try to think of some colorful workmats I could maybe make that would guide him to do things like the snake game or adding larger numbers. He loves to write too. So, maybe something where he used erasable markers...:)
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Jackie
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: montessori math
