Spindle Boxes

Spindle Boxes
Math - Numbers 0-10
Level	Primary
Age	3.5 - 4
Prerequisites	Number Rods Sandpaper Numerals Number Rods With Numerals
Materials	spindle boxes 45 identical spindles container for spindles

This activity lets the child practice associating the numerals and quantities 0-9.

Presentation

1. Carry the material to a mat or large table. Put the spindle boxes on the upper left side, and the box of spindles on the upper right side.

   

2. step two

   

Points of Interest

Direct Aim: 1. To show the collection of quatities into the single set. 2. To show the sequence of nine 3. To show zero as an empty set 4. To show nine as the first group in our decimal system, not ten.

Indirect Aim: 1. Use of nines 2. Ten is a new level

Control of Error

• There are exactly enough spindles to complete the work. If at the end there are not enough, or if there are extra left over the child will know that there is a mistake.

Material

The material consists of two wooden boxes with five long compartments in each. The back of each compartment has a numeral printed on it. Zero to four are in the first box and five to nine are in the second box. The container has forty-five wooden spindles total and nine rubber bands.

Make Your Own

• This version was made by gluing segments of cardboard tube onto two narrow boards. The numerals were written on cards with a marker and glued to the front. The spindles were made from sticks cut to the same length.
  

  

  Source:Montessori on a Budget

• This version was made from two cardboard boxes with balsa wood dividers hot-glued in place. The spindles are popsicle sticks.
  

  

  Source:What DID We Do All Day?

• This was made from a wooden tray with balsa-wood slats glued in as dividers.

  

  (For a more detailed description of how this was done, see Maybe Montessori.)

Where to Buy

Boxes with Spindles
Absorbent Montessori $40.99
Adena $22.15
Adena $23.32
Affordable Montessori $45.00
Affordable Montessori $59.00
Albanesi $49.00 (spindles not included)
Alison's $36.00
Alison's $75.00
Bruin's $95.00
Cabdev $61.00
Caliber $24.99
E & O $98.00
Early School $95.00
ETC Press $85.00
Grandpas $35.00
Hello Wood $109.00
IFIT $27.00
IFIT $11.00 (small)
Juliana $53.20 (spindles not included?)
Jump Start $30.95
Kid Advance $26.99
Materials Company of Boston $90.00
Montessori Buy $26.75(spindles not included)
Montessori Buy $28.84
Montessori Concepts $25.00
Montessori Land $40.00
Montessori N' Such $65.00
Montessori Outlet $32.95 (print)
Montessori Outlet $32.95 (cursive)
Montessori Stores $75.00
Nienhuis $115.00 (USA print)
Nienhuis $115.00 (print)
Nienhuis $115.00 (cursive)

Box of 45 Spindles
Adena $14.58
Albanesi $65.00
Bruin's $8.00
Caliber $12.99
IFIT $16.00
Juliana $53.20
Montessori Buy $19.21

10 Replacement Spindles
Affordable Montessori $5.00
Cabdev $6.00
Early School $3.50
Grandpas $6.00
Jump Start $4.95
Kid Advance $3.99
Montessori Outlet $3.95
Nienhuis $15.00

5 Replacement Spindles
Juliana $5.60

Individual Spindle
Adena $0.47
Alison's $1.50
Bruin's $1.00
ETC Press $1.00
Grandpas $1.00
Hello Wood $0.50
Materials Company of Boston $0.70
Montessori Buy $1.07
Montessori Concepts $0.50
Montessori Land $1.50

Box for Spindles
Affordable Montessori $10.00
Cabdev $12.00
ETC Press $8.00
Jump Start $5.95
Kid Advance $7.99
Materials Company of Boston $13.00
Montessori Outlet $8.95
Nienhuis $18.90