The Montessori Long Chain of Ten is an engaging material designed to help young learners understand foundational math concepts in a hands-on way. This material builds on the Montessori pillar of sensory-based learning and helps children gain skills in counting, skip counting and early multiplication.
The Long Chain of Ten is a series of 100 bead bars, each containing 10 beads, that students string together to form a long chain of 1000. Teachers show the children how to label the chain with number tags and keep track of the quantities they count by 10s and 100s..
Students eventually build large chains across the floor. They begin by counting each bead bar individually, labeling every 10th bead with a number tag (10, 20, 30, and beyond). Eventually, children understand that each bead bar represents 10 units, allowing them to skip counting easily. This work reinforces their understanding of sequential numbers, counting skills, and more.
The Importance of the Long Chain of Ten
The Long Chain of Ten strengthens problem-solving skills, concentration, and logical thinking as they independently manipulate the material and discover patterns. This activity connects abstract mathematical concepts to concrete representations, making learning accessible and enjoyable for young learners.
As children count the bead bars on the chain, they learn the concept of multiples of 10. Seeing the chain grow or shrink by 10 in real-time makes it an invaluable tool for reinforcing the decimal system and linear counting.
The Montessori in a Minute Series
The Montessori In A Minute series regularly explores the unique benefits of Montessori philosophy, its fundamental materials, and areas of the classroom. For all parents at Hudson Montessori School (Jersey City, New Jersey), the school hosts Parent Education Nights every year to teach parents about the Montessori method and how the students learn curriculum components using a Montessori framework.
Contact us to learn more about Hudson Montessori School's theme-based learning approach to education, the Montessori philosophy and methodology, or how the school fosters the love of learning for children aged 2 to eighth grade.
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