Hatsumi Mann

Professor Susan Johnson

CHD 146
August 30, 2013
Maria Montessoris Introduction to the Decimal System


Learning Resources is a large manufacturer of hands on educational materials that have
been around for more than 20 years. They provide materials for the classroom and for the home
as well. They have many award winning products and are known for providing good quality.
Their products are made for children in kindergarten through middle school and focus on the
areas of mathematics, science, reading, early childhood, and Spanish. They also provide products
for English language learners and resources for teachers. Learning Resources is based out of
Europe and are headquartered in Vernon Hills, Illinois. Many of the companies products contain
international patents and are protected by trademarks and copyrights. One of their well known
patented products are the Gears! Gears! Gears! (www.wayfair.com)
They sell a product called the Giant Magnetic Base Ten Set. It is made for ages 6-8 to help
visualize the different quantities associated with the decimal system. It includes 121 blue pieces
made of plastic: 100 blue units, 10 rods, 10 flats and one cube. It is intended to be used on a
whiteboard for group lessons, but could also be used as a hands on manipulative. It helps
children visualize math concepts with 3D representation.

(photo taken from Amazon.com)

This item is similar to Montessoris Introduction to the Decimal System. This material
contains a wooden box that separates each sections of material. It contains a golden thousandbead cube, nine golden hundred-bead squares, nine golden ten-bead bars, and nine golden single
unit beads. (picture below)

(photo taken from montessorimaterials.com)

This material can be used for the initial introduction of the decimal system, but there is also a
separate tray available that is similar, but only holds 1- thousand cube, 1- hundred square 1-ten
bar, and 1-unit bead.

(photo taken from thematerialscompany.com)

Here is a link to a video that shows the introduction to the decimal system:
http://youtu.be/h2-OsKoYmrs
The golden bead material is used to familiarize children with the names of the decimal categories
in relation to their relative proportions. (Gettman pg. 169) It gives the children a visual and also
an opportunity to use their sense of touch to feel the quantities and compare sizes. Each bead can
be counted individually to make up the categories presented.

(photo taken from steppingstones.edu.com)

Extensions are added as children learn the names of each category. In the picture above number
cards are introduced so children can relate the amounts to the written number.
These two materials; the Giant Magnetic Base Ten Set made by Learning Resources and
Montessoris Introduction to the Decimal System are similar is ways that they both help
children to learn the categories and names of the decimal system. They both can be used as a
hands on manipulative. Children are able to explore through their senses of sight and touch. By
introducing the decimal system you will be able to see if a child is able to understand that
numbers can be grouped in different amounts. If they are able to grasp the concept you are then
able to move on and introduce more advanced material.

References:
Learning Resources Giant Magnetic Base Ten Set., Manufacturer information.


www.wayfair.com. Web. 30 Aug. 2013.
Gettman, David. Basic Montessori:Learning Activities for Under-Fives. New York: St.Martins


Griffin, 1987. Print.
Photos taken from:


Amazon.com


Montessorimaterials.com


Steppingstones.edu.com