What is the Montessori Binomial Cube & Why Should I Care?

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1 Montessori Sensorial Binomial Cube Lesson

1.1 Steps to the Montessori Sensorial Binomial Cube Lesson

2.1 Get Your Dose of Montessori Goodness

Learn the Magic of the Montessori Binomial Cube! This post gives a step by step of how to teach preschoolers math with the Montessori Sensorial Binomial Cube Lesson! The Binomial Cube physically represents a mathematical equation and lays the foundation for the development of later math skills.

Montessori Sensorial Binomial Cube Lesson

Steps to the Montessori Sensorial Binomial Cube Lesson

Lift the lid using both hands & place it next to the cube. Grasp the upper edge of each side of the box with 3-finger grip to open.

Using a dominant 3-finger grip remove all the cubes beginning at the right front point of the cube. Place randomly on the mat or table.

Sort by color: Start with the red cube and, to the right of the lid, forming a vertical line with the red prisms below it. There should be about an inch of space between each piece so the color can be clearly seen by the child. Repeat with the blue prisms.

PRESENTATION I

“Now I am going to build the cube. I will start with the red cube.” Place the rectangle on the red square of the lid. Point to the red: “Now I need to match this color.”

Point to the side bordering it: “And I need to match this color.”

Look at the line of red prisms and select the appropriate one. Move it with a 3-finger grip.

Touch the side of the cube on the box and the side of the prism to emphasize that they are the same color: “Same.”

Place the outer right edge of the prism against the edge of the rectangle and slowly lower the inner edge of the prism down on the rectangle and against the cube in order to make sure the child sees the colors matching.

Move to space at the lower left, repeat, then lower right, repeat. Point to both prisms that border the space as well as to the blue square on the lid.

The bottom layer is now complete. Lay right hand gently on the top to emphasize it is flat.

“Now let’s put this layer back in the box. I will start with the red cube.” Place the prisms back in the order the layer was built.

“Now let’s build the next layer. What matches these colors?”

Allow the child to choose the next prism if he has caught on to the work.

When that layer is complete, lay hand on top to emphasize it is flat.

“Now let’s move this layer into the box. We’ll start with the red one.”

“Now let’s close the sides. Let’s put the lid on and see if it matches.”

Lower the lid down slowly so the child can see it matches. Offer the child a turn.

PRESENTATION II

Build the entire cube on the lid before putting away.

PRESENTATION III

The child can build the cube on the table without using the lid as a base. When finished, cut the cube open vertically, and then again from another side to show the colors match. The lid can be visible to use as a reference.

PRESENTATION IV

Turn the lid upside down and allow the child to build from memory.

PRESENTATION V

The teacher chooses a prism and the child builds from that point.

Related Resource: Check out this AMAZING Preschool Math Bundle!

Related Montessori Math Lessons:

I hope you found this post useful. Please leave a comment. I love hearing from you!

Marnie

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