How Montessori help children to learn math effectively

"Nothing goes into the mind that does not first go through the hands"

It is a basic fundamental of applying the Montessori method to make learning interactive and fun for kids.

How can Montessori help children to learn math effectively?

Let us use the Arithmetic Add Subtract Board as an example of how additional and subtraction is taught using the Montessori method.

Product used - Arithmetic Add Subtract Board

- A board divided into squares (each 2cm x 2cm) across from left to right and 11 squares from top to bottom. The topmost squares are numbered 1 to 18; from 1 to 10 in red and from 11 to 18 are in blue. There is a red line that divides the board vertically, after the number 10.

- 2 sets of strips; one set is blue with symbols 1 to 9. The other set is red, which are subdivided into squares by blue lines. The end square of each strip is marked with the symbol that corresponds to the number of its squares.
Presentation 1

1. Have the child bring Chart 1, the two sets of strips, and the board to the table.
2. Introduce the child to the board. Show the child the red line which shows us that we have reached ten.
3. Show the numbers at the top of the board and tell the child that this is where the answer will be found.
4. Show the child the strips you will be used for addition.
5. Have the child take out all of the blue strips.
6. Have the child place them randomly to the left of the chart.
7. Have the child place them in order as shown below:

1. Have the child take out the red strips and place them in order to the right of the board, as shown below:

1. Have the child choose one blue strip and place it on the first row. (For example the 4 strip)
2. You choose a red strip that will not make the number go
3. Place it to the right of the blue strip.
   
   

		Table of addition of one 4+1=5 4+2=6 4+3=7 4+4= 4+5= 4+6= 4+7= 4+8= 4+9=

2. Show the child that 4 plus 3 equals (point to the number on the chart) 7.
3. Have the child replace the strips.
4. Repeat but now make sure the number is greater than 10.
5. Show the child the red line and how this shows us that the number is greater than ten.
6. Have the child replace the strips.
7. Show the child the first sheet of paper and tell the child that this is the table of 1.
8. Look at the first addition problem: 1 + 1 =
9. have the child place the blue 1 strip at the top of the board and the red 1 strip directly next to it.
10. Show and say with the child: 1 + 1 = 2
11. Have the child fill in 2 for the answer on the paper.
12. Have the child replace the material and continue for the whole table of 1.
13. Encourage the child to do all of the tables.
14. Once he has done the tables 1 – 9, you can introduce control Chart 1 where the child can check his work.

Notes
Be sure to allow the child to state the combination and say out the final result even if he notices the pattern of the answer (2, 3, 4, 5, etc.)

Presentation 2

1. Have the child set up the material as in Presentation 1.
2. Have the child place a blue five and a red three together.
3. Have the child read 5 plus 3 equals 8.
4. Have the child then place a blue three and a red five.
5. Have the child read 3 plus 5 equals 8.
6. Discuss with the child which color comes first in the first equation and which color comes first in the second equation.
7. See how even if the order is different, the answer is the same. Say, “So it does not matter what the order is as long as the numbers are the same.”
8. Have the child replace the strips.
9. Repeat doing a few more with the child.
   
   

Presentation 3

1. Have the child set up the material as in Presentation 1.
2. Have the child place the blue 8 strips on the board.
3. Take a piece of squared paper and write 8 at the top. Tell the child, “Let’s see what makes 8.”
4. Have the child place the blue 1 strip on the board.
5. Ask what red strip we will need to make 8.
6. The child should then place the red 7 strips next to the blue 1 strip.
7. Write on the squared paper 1 + 7 =8 and then read it with the child.
8. Have the child place the blue 2 strips on the chart. He should then place the red 6 strips next to the blue 2 strips.
9. Record and read as before.
10. Repeat for as many combinations you can make to equal 8.
11. Tell the child that we are now going to look to see if any of those are the same. Such as 7 + 1 and 1 + 7, etc.
12. Place one set of each of the same combinations to the bottom of the board. As you remove each one, cross it off the paper and explain to the child why you do so.
13. The child can then check his work on the addition Chart 2.

Direct
To lead the child through all the possible combination in addition. None exist beyond the combination of 9 + 9. The red line vertically dividing the board show up when the addition reaches beyond 10 e.g. in the case of 8 (red) added to 5 (blue), the red line tells us how many went to make up the 10 and how many there are extra and above 10.

It has the same purpose as the little counting cards placed at every ten in the snake game. The red line, similarly to the counting card, teaches us how numbers are split into two sections; one section is for the purpose of completely 10, the other section is the remainder and brings us that much further towards completing another 10. This is the mechanism of addition that must be learned. 

Control of Error
The child checks the work with Charts 1 and 2.

Working with Montessori material and techniques manifests a pattern that creates a habit for children to carry over naturally in reading, writing, and math.

Each skill has been developed to interlock one another so that the child will remember. 

Montessori help children to learn math effectively by using an approach that values the human spirit as well as the personal development of a child physically, socially, emotionally, cognitively.

Montessori education offers our children opportunities to grow their potential once they step out into the reality as an engaged, competent, responsible, and respectful person having an understanding character with a sense of appreciation for lifelong learning.

Start empowering your child the Montessori way of learning!