Montessori math materials are far more than simply calculating tools (in fact, some of them can’t be used for calculation at all!). Both can be used for adding, subtracting, and with some cleverness, multiplying whole numbers up to the millions or so, and so both could be considered mathematical tools for calculation. Both are wooden frames with horizontal wires or dowels that each contain ten beads. If that were the only reason, it would be a pretty silly distinction.įirst, let’s look at the similarities. To the untrained eye, they look quite similar, and it’s not necessarily obvious why one should be considered a “Montessori material” and the other shouldn’t, beyond the fact that one was designed by Maria Montessori for use in classrooms. Now there is a Montessori material that looks similar to this: the Large Bead Frame. I have even seen photos of them in marketing materials for schools that purport to be Montessori or Montessori-based.
In this occasional series, we will look at various materials and methods that are often advertised as Montessori, to see how well they embody Montessori principles.įor this first edition of “Is It Montessori?” I’m going to indulge in a bit of grumbling about a personal pet-peeve of mine, namely those brightly colored abacus “toys” that are often advertised as Montessori math materials.
0 kommentar(er)
