T. Hesterrev. 2014

MECR/2014

Long Chains (Cube Chains)

Materials:

Ten chains of color-coded bead bars representing the cubes of the numbers, 1-10. Ten bead cubes corresponding to the chains.

Ten boxes of color-coded arrows labeled with numerals for each multiple for the cubes of numbers 1-10.

Hooks and shelf or a bead cabinet.

Preparation:

Short (Square) Chains.

Check that the work is complete.

Age: 5 years.

Direct Aims:

To practice counting in sequence and skip countingthe cubes of numbers 1-10.

To prepare of multiplication.

Indirect Aims:

To prepare for geometry and the powers of numbers.

To develop order, concentration, coordination and independence.

Presentation I – Introduction to the Thousand Chain

  1. Invite a child or a small group of children to lay out a large rug.
  2. Pick up the 1000 Chain, placing each upper loop over the hand. Carry it carefully to the rug.
  3. Place end of chain on rug. Show that there is not enough space. Ask child to bring another rug. Continue to unfold and add rugs until chain is stretched across the room.
  4. Admire the effect. Encourage child to remember the 100 Chain is similar. Ask child to bring the 100 Chain.
  5. Place the 100 Chain beside the 1000 Chain, ends at the same point. Place a 100 square at the 100 point. Show child the large wire hanging loop at that point.
  6. Move the 100 Chain to parallel the second hundred of the 1000 Chain. Mark the end with another 100 square. Continue to compare the chains and mark every 100 with a 100 square.
  7. Remove the 100 Chain. Count the 100 squares. Say, “This chain has ten hundreds.”
  8. Stack the 100 squares at the end of the chain. Say, ‘Ten hundreds are one thousand.”
  9. Replace the stack of squares with a thousand cube. Say, “This is the Thousand Chain.”
  10. Replace the materials, emphasizing great care and precision.

Presentation II:

Repeat this presentation with each long chain in the following order: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 6, 7, 8, and 9.

Vocabulary:

Numbers corresponding to the multiples of each chain.

Points of Interest:

Length of the chain.

Sorting the arrows.

Carrying the chain.

Comparing ten 100 squares, a 1000 cube, and the 1000 Chain.

Control of Error:

The correct number of beads and arrows are provided.

The size of the arrows.

The large circle links between 100’s.

The 100 Chain.

Variations:

  1. Have the child read the arrows.
  2. Skip count the chain as far as they are able.
  3. Fold the chain into squares before placing each 100 square to match.
  4. Take an arrow and have child find its place.
  5. Have the child find numbers for you. I.e. “Find 270, 450, etc.”
  6. Point to a bead. Ask the child to figure out which bead it is.

Extensions:

  1. Have color-coded mats and boxes for each chain.
  2. Tie a gold ribbon at every 100.
  3. Write the chains.
  4. Write out a few numbers and have them fill in the missing ones.
  5. Consider the length of 1000 oranges, etc.

Notes: