About the Montessori Golden Beads Math Material
The Golden Beads math material is the most concrete Montessori material used to teach linear counting, numeration, place value, the decimal system, and all four operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It comprises unit beads, 10-bead bars, 100-bead squares, and 1,000-bead cubes. It is typically used in primary (ages 3-6) and lower elementary (usually 1st grade). However, I highly recommend it for any child new to Montessori or struggling with number sense, the decimal system, place value, or operations. It is one of my Top Ten Montessori math materials!
Children introduced to the decimal system with the Golden Beads experience a concrete, three-dimensional representation of abstract number concepts that can be combined, taken apart, multiplied, divided, and exchanged for other values. These experiences build a strong mental framework for number sense, place value, the decimal system, and operations that set the child up for success.
To purchase the Golden Beads material with three sets of Numeral Cards click HERE.
Preceding Material
The Decanomial Bead Bar lessons precede the Golden Beads lessons in the Montessori math sequence. The Bead Bars give a child the foundation of number concepts built upon and expanded with the Golden Bead material.
The Golden Beads Math Lessons
Let me show you some math lessons and games you can use with your child to strengthen their understanding of linear counting, numeration, place value, the decimal system, and operations with the Golden Beads math material. The lessons are listed in the typical Montessori math sequence and are simple to complex. The lessons are:
Teens
Tens
Introduction to the Decimal System
Bird’s Eye View
Crises of Ten
Building and Reading Numbers
The Exchange Game
Place Value Games
Numeration Games
Addition
Multiplication
Subtraction
Division
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The Teens and Teen Board Lessons
*Typically given with the Decanomial Bead Bar material, but the Golden Beads effectively teach the same concept.
The Teen Board lesson aims to teach the quantity and written numerals of the teen numbers, linear counting past 10, and addition facts of 10+ single digit numbers (1-9). Suitable for ages 4-7.
In this lesson, the child lays out golden 10-bead bars vertically with unit beads to the right making the teen numbers from 11-19. He uses the board to make the written numerals in conjunction with the bead quantity.
The Tens and Ten Board Lessons
The Ten Board lesson aims to teach the quantity and written numerals of the numbers 20-99, linear counting to 99, and exchanging ten loose units/ones for a group of ten (a 10-bead bar). Suitable for ages 4-9
In the Ten Board lesson, the child lays out a 10-bead bar and adds unit beads counting linearly until he reaches the next ten. He exchanges ten loose unit beads for a group of ten.
Alternatively, he lays out 10-bead bars and counts by ten. He uses the board to make the written numerals.
Introduction to the Decimal System with Golden Beads
The aim of the Introduction to the Decimal System lesson is to introduce the child to the decimal system and place value. To impress the quantity, names, and written numerals of the units/ones, tens, hundreds, and thousands place value. Suitable for ages 4-9.
The child discovers the quantity and name for each category place in the decimal system by holding and counting the beads.
Bird’s Eye View
The Bird’s Eye View lesson aims to teach the child to count by 10s, 100s, and 1,000s and to impress upon the child a visual layout of the decimal system and place value. Suitable for ages 4-9
On a large work surface, preferably 2-3 large floor rugs, the child starts at the top right laying out golden beads and matching numeral cards in four vertical columns working toward the left. She lays out beads and numeral cards from 1-9 in each place value category.
Crises of Ten
The Crises of Ten lesson aims to teach the child that each numerical place (units/ones, tens, hundreds, thousands) goes up to nine. Ten is regrouped to the next higher place category via an exchange. Suitable for ages 4-9.
The child counts golden beads in each place category until she reaches nine. When a tenth is added she exchanges and regroups into the next higher place value category.
Building and Reading Numbers with Golden Beads
The Building and Reading Numbers lesson aims to teach the child to make and read numbers into the thousands, to reinforce the place value of digits within numbers, and to introduce the function of zero. It also indirectly introduces standard and expanded forms of numbers. It is suitable for ages 4-9.
The child plays a game of “fetching” beads to form a numerical quantity and placing the numeral cards together to form a written numeral of the quantity gathered. He practices building, reading, and writing numbers into the thousands. When he is comfortable with this game, request an amount that leaves out a place value category resulting in a zero.
The Exchange Game
Another way to practice building and reading numbers is with the exchange game. Understanding place value is foundational to a child’s proficiency with numbers and mathematical processes. Place value games impress a deep understanding of the decimal place value system.
The child gathers a random amount of beads from each place value category to count. More than 9 in each category is anticipated. He counts the beads in each category exchanging them into the next place value category every time he reaches ten.
Other Place Value Games
- Children use task cards to build and write new numbers independently.
- Show children the Numeral Cards in either standard or expanded form to request a number.
- Show children a number written in word form and ask them to build the number with bead quantity and with Numeral Cards.
Numeration Games
Numeration is the skill of processing and calculating numbers. Spending time developing basic numeration skills prepares the child for more complex numeration in the future.
- As numbers are built, you can ask for 10 more or 10 less, 100 more or 100 less.
- Compare numbers with Greater/ Less than /Equal to.
- Practice rounding and estimating.
Golden Beads Addition Lessons
*Children in Montessori classrooms work with numbers into the thousands in a very concrete way from the very beginning of their introduction to the decimal counting system with the Golden Beads math material. Because they spend lots of time reading, writing, and making exchanges with numbers into the thousands, it is no greater task to ask them to add numbers in the thousands. Addition equations with the Golden Beads follow quite logically from the building and reading number games played earlier.
Addition lessons aim to teach children to combine two numbers (addends) to get a larger sum. To introduce the vocabulary “addend” and “sum.” To introduce the addition symbol “+”. It is suitable for ages 5-9.
The child builds a number into the thousand just as in the building and reading numbers lesson. He builds a second number under the first number lining up the place value categories. He then combines the beads in each place value category.
Separate lessons are given for equations with regrouping, without regrouping, and zeros in the addends.
Golden Beads Multiplication Lessons
Multiplication lessons aim to teach the process of multiplication as repeated addition of the same number a set number of times. To introduce the vocabulary “multiplicand”, “multiplier”, and “product”. To introduce the multiplication symbol “x”. They are suitable for ages 5-9.
The child builds a given number with the golden beads multiple times and combines the beads in each place value category beginning with the unit’s place for a final product.
Montessori Golden Beads math lessons are given separately for equations with the Montessori Golden Beads math material without regrouping, with regrouping, and zero in the multiplicand.
Golden Beads Subtraction Lessons
Subtraction lessons aim to teach the child to subtract an amount from a given number to determine what is left, to introduce the vocabulary “minuend”, “subtrahend”, and “difference”, and to introduce the subtraction symbol “-“. It is suitable for ages 5-9.
In a subtraction equation, we take away from a given amount so we do not build the bottom number (the subtrahend). We take away from what we have, pulling it beneath the minuend, which essentially becomes the subtrahend in the equation. The answer (the difference) is what is left at the top after taking away the indicated amount. This is a major difference from the addition and multiplication equations previously experienced.
Golden Beads Division Lessons
Finally, the last lessons with the Golden Beads material is division. Division lessons aim to teach a child to divide a specified amount by sharing (distributing) equally among a set number of groups and finding the share of each group, and to introduce the vocabulary “dividend”, “divisor”, and “quotient”. It is suitable for ages 5-9.
The child gathers a given amount of beads and shares the quantity with a given number of groups. The quotient is the share that each group received.
Separate lessons are given with the Golden Beads math material for equations with no regrouping, with regrouping, remainders, and zero in the dividend (amount to be shared).
To purchase the Golden Beads material with three sets of Numeral Cards click HERE.
The next math material in the Montessori sequence is the Stamp Game. Click HERE to see how to use the Stamp Game to teach place value, addition, multiplication, subtraction, and division.
Which Montessori Golden Beads lesson would benefit your child’s learning the most? What support do you need to use the Golden Beads in your homeschool or classroom? Have you used the Golden Beads before? What worked or didn’t work? Comment below!