The Montessori Number Rods & Numerals lesson is part of Introduction to Numeration section within Math. This lesson comes after the Number Rods and Sandpaper Numerals lessons.

Invite the child to do the work. Get a mat and spread it on the floor.

Number Rods & Numerals Lesson

Presentation I

• With the child’s help, carry the rods, one at a time, to the mat.
• Place them in mixed array. Have the child construct the stair, leaving room at the bottom of the mat.

• Take out the numerals. Arrange in mixed order at the bottom of the mat.
• Review the symbol names with the child and introduce the ten

• “Now let’s put the numerals with the rods that have the same quantity.”
• Count the one rod: “One. Which numeral do we need here?”
• The child locates the one numerals, hands it to me and I place it standing up leaning again the one rod. Count the two rod.

• Proceed in a similar manner.
• Allow the child to take over as much as he wishes to do so. If there is a problem, simply ask if I can have a turn.
• When all the numerals are in place, read them and then ask the child to read them.
• Turn the numerals over and play “Knock, Knock”. The child identifies the numerals and places it leaning up against the correct rod

Presentation II

• The child places the rods in random order on a mat and the numerals are upside down in random order on a second mat
• Knock on the back of the numeral. The child identifies it and places it on the correct rod.  Repeat the same approach through ten.

Math Extension & Variations

• Fetch game
• Randomly array rods on mat. Ask the child to find the longest rod. Count the segments. Find the numeral that goes with it.
• Ask the child to find the next longest rod and the numeral that goes with it. Ask the child which rod could we place with the 9 rod to give us 10. And so on.
• Mystery number with two children. One child gets secret numeral, counts objects to match the numeral. The other child counts the objects and finds the rod to match the secret numeral.
• See examples from Number Rods lesson

Have fun!

Marnie

Related: You might also be interested in What is the Spindle Box?

Number rods are one of the first lessons in the Montessori Math sequence within Introduction to Numeration. Relatively inexpensive, this material will be well loved with a variety of variations and extensions. I purchased my Number Rods from Montessori Outlet for a reasonable price. You can also buy Montessori Number Rods on Amazon.

Dr. Montessori believed that we are born with a natural propensity to calculate, to be logical, to reason, and to create within their environments. The caveat is that without guidance and nurturing from and within the living & learning environments, the capacity to perform such thinking is eventually lost.

What is Montessori Math?

So, we conclude that in order to develop and to function at greatest mathematical capacity, a child’s experiences must lend to the innate mathematical mind.

How do we create such an environment? We must expose the child to concepts early in his life and wait for these connections to manifest later in her development.  In other words, her brain won’t make the connections and be less ready for advanced learning and critical thinking. In a sense, the brain will reject this type of thinking because it is not prepared to accept more complex information.

Unlike adults, children focus on the process. Adults focus on the product.  This concept applies again and again to Montessori Math.  Often difficult to observe and subsequently even more difficult to accept, especially by parents, the emphasis in a Montessori classroom is on the process, not on the product, of the child’s work. 

The development of the whole child is paramount to direct academic development, the latter a result of a by-product of the efforts made to develop the whole child.

“Children display a universal love of mathematics, which is par excellence the science of precision, order, and intelligence.”       

~ Dr. Maria Montessori

Invite the child to do the work. Point out that a large mat is needed for the work.

Montessori Number Rods Presentation I

• Carry the one, two and three rods to the mat, one at a time; carry horizontally with the index finger and the third finger of each hand supporting either edge of the rod.
• Place the three rods randomly on the upper part of the mat

• Sit next to the child, isolate the one and two rods directly in front of me
• Give the three-period lesson: “This is…” touch the one rod: “Let’s count it…” touch the segment and stroke it lengthwise as you say its name.
• Repeat with rod one and two
• Use a lot of repetition with the 3-period lesson, I Spy and What’s Missing?
• Mix rods and repeat questions as much as needed
• Once the child is comfortable with the one and two rods, introduce the three rod using the same pattern approach
• Construct the stair at the top left of the mat with the one rod on the bottom and move the four and five rods.

Montessori Number Rods – Presentation II

• Continue presenting two rods at a time until the child can identify and count all the rods. Review each time I introduce a new set.
• When the child can comfortably name them all, mix them up and invite her to count them and rebuild the stair.
• Carry the rods back to the shelf, beginning with the long one and lining them up with the red segment on the left.

Montessori Number Rods Variations

• Count around the triangle formed by the stair
• Fetch game
• Greater than/less than
• Challenge child to find two rods that match the length of a third rod

Extensions to the Introductory Lesson

• Match number of objects to the number of segments
• Create own number rods using other materials such as Unifix cubes or paper rectangles
• Use rods to measure things around the classroom
• Use with red rods to make a pyramid

Number Rod Resources

• FREE Number Rod Control Chart & Number Cards from Montessori Printshop
• Pattern Cards from Montessori Printshop
• Montessori Number Rods
• Unifix Cubes 
• Rectangle Paper Punch
• Construction Paper
• Glue Sticks

Next up…Montessori Math Number Rod Addition

Enjoy!

Marnie