My son wants to master his multiplication tables, especially for bigger numbers. We are using both the Chinese/Singapore math (abstraction) method and Montessori when it comes to mastering his mathematical skills. For Montessori, though we have the Multiplication board, Mavi prefers using the colored beads as these keep him engaged and he thinks that they are more “fun”. With this, I am so excited to share the learning materials we use to aid his mastery of multiplication using extension activities that goes perfectly with the Montessori colored beads.
These learning materials were very helpful, and my son enjoyed working on the extension activities. The best thing about these learning materials is that they grow with your child and you can print them again and again so your child can practice each multiplication table through the years.
MATERIALS USED IN THIS ACTIVITY
UNDERSTANDING MULTIPLICATION FACTS
The child needs to understand and should have a good grasp of how multiplication works. This is the reason why it is best to use concrete materials so that the child can have a first hand experience on multiplication. In some method, the approach is with the use of “arrays” in Montessori, where we use the colored beads, and in a similar way forms an array too.
In the image below, Mavi is working on our Multiplication table of 9 (3 part cards). Instead of using the picture cards, he decided to use the colored beads. Our learning pack includes a variety of “labels” to define the "array of colored beads" and match them to the number of beads that they can physically count (you can use the picture cards of bead arrays, included in the learning pack, if you don’t own the Montessori beads).
Next, he used the notation paper to count the total number of colored bead arrays. It is best to recite the count out loud for memorization purposes. There are three types of notation papers included in the pack, to cater the level of your child. I have a trace version, to those who can’t memorize the table yet, and a blank notation for a challenging work.
THE MONTESSORI BEAD CHAIN
The bead chains can be used in representing the square of numbers (also known as short bead chains) and the cube of numbers (also known as long bead chains). You can check this post (Learning The Square of a Number Using Montessori Short Bead Chain with Square) on how we used this method.
We used the same method of learning multiplication tables, by chaining the colored beads to memorize and visualize each tables. I included this activity sheet for chaining activities. Here you see Mavi filling up the labels to mark the counts for each of the 6 purple beads. A control sheet is provided as well so the child can check his or her work.
BEAD ARRAY COUNTING CARDS
One of the most enjoyable activities for Mavi was identifying the total counts of these beads. It’s a lot of work for me to assemble all of these so I made these counting cards so he can work on these independently without the need for putting up all the physical Montessori beads (we don’t have enough as well too). Here he randomly worked on the counting beads from tables 9, 8, 7, and 6.
The cards are in a size that are perfect for bead counting. Here Mavi is counting a row of brown beads. There’s no equation written in the cards so the child can compute the product through skip counting, or mentally.
Concentration, he’s glued to the work and decided to use a pencil to count the rows of beads. We used glass nuggets to mark the multiplication product.
These are just some of the extension work in our learning pack. There are also reading booklets to accommodate beginners and for educators to use as teaching tools. I also included activity sheets for writing multiplication equations for older kids transitioning to abstraction.
I highly recommend you to check our SHOP for more details and previews of the material. Currently available are:
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