Manipulative Materials
In the 3-6 class, children love to learn
the quantities and symbols for numbers in
the thousands.They often learn addition,
subtraction, multiplication and division
with the decimal system and with
fractions, all simultaneously.
None of this work is required of the children,
but it is offered, presented with manipulative
materials to one child at a time-by the adult
and sometimes another child. there are no
teachers lecturing to a group of children who
are required to sit still and listen. The children
choose this work, and repeat each step with
joy and enthusiasm until they are ready
to move on to the next step.
A child who is allowed to explore with
real mathematical objects at an early,
motor-sensorial age becomes a real math
lover later in life. Math and geometry materials
do not have to be expensive; they can be
made of cardboard cubes, strings of beads,
blocks, beans, anything that helps the
child gasp the concept through her senses.
Pinegreenwoods Montessori
Montessori Inspired (3-6)
