Operations with the Abacus: static addition (without change)

What materials are needed for this activity?

For this activity, the directress needs The abacus, Expanded notation cards, Green, red, and blue markers, and a cloth.

How is this activity presented?

The directress begins the activity by showing the child the expanded notation card and reminding him about the (+) sign. She reads through the sum with the child (2354 + 6435) The directress then tells him, “We are going to find the answer using the abacus”

She reminds the child to start counting with the units. She counts across the units for the first addend (4) and then counts across the units for the second addend (5), she leaves a small space between them. The directress reminds the child that they are adding so they need to push the beads together and count how many there are (9) She shows him where to record the answer in the unit column, using the green marker.

The child counts across the tens for the first (5) and second (3) addend, he pushes them together and counts them (8). He then records the answer in the tens column, using the blue marker.

The child continues in the same manner with the 100’s and 1000’s, recording the answers in the correct column, using the correct coloured marker. The directress shows the child where to check his answers once completed. The directress reads through the operation and the answer to the child, “Two thousand three hundred and fifty-four plus six thousand four hundred and thirty-five equals eight thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine”.

The child replaces the beads and packs the work away.

Operations with the Abacus: static addition

What the child learns when doing static addition with the abacus

This activity reinforces notation, place value in the decimal system, and the (+) sign, as well as this activity helps the child understand the process of addition using more abstract materials.

Looking for more Montessori activities?

Here is a list of all the Montessori Maths activities including Early Maths, Introduction to the Decimal System, Seguin Boards, The Hundred Board, The Short Bead Stair, Bead Chains, The Snake Game, Group Operations, The Large Number Rods, Recording with the Small Number Rods, The Short Bead Stair, The Strip Boards, The Boards, The Stamp Game, The Abacus, The Dot Game, and Fractions. Just click on the page you want to learn about to go there.