Bead Stair

Bead Stair
Math - Linear Counting
Level	Primary
Age	3.5 - 4
Prerequisites	ability to count to ten recognizes numerals 1-10
Materials	Bead Stair small paper slips with numerals 1-9 container for bead stair container for numerals square of black felt tray

This activity helps the child learn to associate the quantities 1 through 9 with their numerals.
It also introduces the child to the material used in the Teens Beads, the Teens Board, the Short Chains, the Long Chains, Addition With Bead Bars, Subtraction With Bead Bars, and Multiplication With Bead Bars.

Presentation

1. Carry the work to a mat or table. If done at a table, use a large table mat.

   

2. Place the bead bars randomly on the middle of the mat.

   

3. Find the 1 bead bar and place it near the bottom of the black mat.

   

4. Find the 2 bar and place it above the first bead bar. Continue in this way until all the bead bars have been placed in order.

   

5. Place the numeral cards in random order along the bottom of the mat.

   

6. Take the 1 bead bar and place it in the upper left corner of the mat. Point to it and say, "This is 1."

   

7. Take the 1 numeral and set it to the right of the bead bar. Point to it and say, "This says 1."

   

8. Present the rest of bead bars with numerals in order in the same way.

   

Control of Error

Creating the triangle.

Material

The bead stair consists of 9 segments of wire strung with one to nine beads. Every number of beads is done in a different color: 1-red, 2-green, 3-peach, 4-yellow, 5-light blue, 6-lavender, 7-white, 8-brown, 9-dark blue. The beads should be as spherical as possible so that they are equally wide as long. They should measure between 7 and 8mm in diameter.

Make Your Own

See the Make Your Own section in Multiplication With Bead Bars for bead suppliers and prices.

Where to Buy

Bead Stair 1-9
Absorbent Montessori $26.00 (with tray)
Adena $1.89
Affordable Montessori $12.00 (with tray)
Albanesi $9.00
Alison's $6.00
Bruins $9.00
IFIT $2.50
Montessori Concepts $2.00
Montessori N' Such $3.00
Montessori Outlet $1.95
Thinkamajigs $3.95

5 Bead Stairs
IFIT $10.00
Kid Advance $9.99
Materials Co. of Boston $33.00 (with box)
Montessori Concepts $8.00
Montessori N' Such $24.00 (with box)
Nienhuis $40.50 (glass beads)
Nienhuis $28.50 (fused nylon beads)

Bead Stair Tray
Bruins $6.00
Hello Wood $12.00
Hello Wood $14.00 (with grooves)
Hello Wood $12.60 (left aligned)
IFIT $5.00
Kid Advance $6.99
Materials Co. of Boston $9.00
Montessori N' Such $7.50
Montessori Outlet $3.95
Thinkamajigs $7.95

Bead Stair Box
Thinkamajigs $12.95

Bead Stair Stamps
Great Extensions $60.00
Montessori N' Such $22.95
Montessori N' Such $65.00 (with tray)

Further Reading

• Teaching Montessori in the Home: The School Years by Elizabeth G. Hainstock, page 19