Let’s talk about the power of Montessori’s Number Rods with Extension Cards! The Montessori Number Rods are a foundational Montessori material used to introduce children to the basic concepts of math such as counting, number sequencing, and size discrimination. These rods come in varying lengths and colors, each representing a different numerical value. The direct aim of using the Number Rods is to teach children to isolate numbers and comprehend their relative value in a visual, tactile manner. The indirect aim of this work is to develop their concentration, focus, and fine motor skills.
In Montessori classrooms, the Number Rods are typically introduced to children ages 3-6, during the early phases of their education. They are introduced in a sequential manner, starting with the shortest rod and working their way up to the longest. This helps children to understand the concept of size sequencing and is easier for them to comprehend and master. For the purpose of keeping this learning experience active, we create the Number Rods – (Extension Cards) which will take your learners from revisiting the value of each rod to working on size sequencing, and finally adding rods together. Our set, Number Rods – (Extension Cards), consists of 25 cards divided into four sections and with a visual control for errors on the back of each card. In this post, you can explore all four sections to see how the set is designed in a sequential scaffolded manner, to maximize children’s independence in their learning. For presentational purposes, we used the Table Top version of the Number Rods. You may use the standard Number Rods as well.
Materials
- Blue and Red Number Rods (Complete Set) (Premium Quality)
- Blue and Red Number Rods
- Blue and Red Number Rods (Premium Quality)
- Number Rods – (Extension Cards)
- Table Top Number Rods
- Table Top Number Rods (Premium Quality)
Related materials: Blue and Red Number Rods (Complete Set)
Number Rods Extension Cards
Section 1 – Counting Quantities
This first section can be used with children as young as four. Simply demonstrate to children how to select a card, count the segments on the card, select the rod shown on the card, and count the segment on the rod to make sure it is the corresponding rod. A numerical value is written on the back of the card as a control. This practice is excellent to reinforce the one-on-one correspondence concept, and cardinality, where children understand that the value of a counted series of objects is the last number named.
Section 2 – Sorting from Greatest to Least
In the second section, children practice placing rods in sequential order, comparing lengths, and implicitly learning the concept of superlative. You may model this work first to provide the appropriate language for none or emergent readers.
Section 3 – Sorting from Least to Greatest
The third section is similar to the section, except that children are given rods in a mixed order, and are invited to organize them in ascending order, from the least to the greatest rod. Again, you can count on the control for errors on the back of each card to help children monitor their progress independently.
Section 4 – Adding Rods
In this final section, children are encouraged to work with addition. Through this section, they develop a strong foundation for counting and adding. The extension cards require that children add two rods together and copy their numerical values on a notebook. Children are very proud to report their work on paper to demonstrate their newly acquired math skills.
We hope we have sparked further interest in invaluable Number Rods! They are essential in children’s early math education. They promote critical thinking, logical reasoning, and fine motor skills while instilling in children an appreciation for the beauty and complexity of mathematics. Therefore, it is important to keep children actively engaged with this material, and the Number Rods – (Extension Cards) make perfect companions for this purpose! For more engaging Montessori support materials, make sure to visit our website at www.alisonsmontessori.com.
