Addition Snake Game

One of my purchases while attending the AMS conference was this:


The Addition Snake Game:  The red box contains 10 sets of colored bead bars (1-9).  The gold box contains 25 golden bead bars (10's), and the white (lid) and black box contains a set of black and white bead bars (1-9).  Inside this box also a smalled notched card (bridge) to aid in counting.  Above the boxes is a rolled piece of red felt to be used as a mat.

The activity is part of the traditional Montessori Math materials and is used to familiarize the child with all the possible number combinations that make ten.  It also gives the child subconscious knowledge that no two digits added together amount to more than 18.  Addtionally, the Snake Game gives the first basic practice in memorizing number combinations that equal ten (6+4, 7+3, etc.).

The red color corresponds with Montessori exercises of addition.  I just had to use my red napkin holder which is part of a set from Russia to hold the rolled felt mat.  Adding small touches of beauty like this to an excersice is important to me - it gives the lesson a feeling of warmth and if nothing else, provides an added point of interest for the child! 

Here is a breakdown of the initial presentation of the Addition Snake Game:



Presentation:  The colored beads and ten bars have been reviewed.  The black and white bead bars have been introduced and placed in an inverted triangle on the right side of the mat.  The bridge (used to aid in counting and place-holding) is placed to the right of the black and white beads.  During the initial presentation, the colored beads used include the numbers one through nine and an extra five bar. 



Presentation in progress:  The colored beads are counted from one to ten, at which point they are exchanged for a golden bead bar (ten).  Any remaining beads on  a colored bead bar is counted and replaced by a corresponding "place holder" from the black and white bead bars.  Counted colored bead bars are placed in the box which held the black and white bead bars.



Prestation completed:  The "snake" has been counted and has turned golden! 

 Lastly, to check the work:



First control complete:  The colored snake had the same amount of beads as the golden snake. 

Can you see the different number combinations of ten?   The second control, which I have not included in the photos, introduces the child to multiplication by showing how the addition of equal quantities, i.e. 3+3+3, is multiplication.  Everytime I give this lesson I get so excited about math!  Now, if only I had only known about this when I was five....