Objective:  The Short Bead Chain reinforces numeration.  It indirectly teaches skip counting/multiplication and squaring.

Age: 4-6 years

Control of Error:  The Short Bead Chain Arrows will not match the number of beads on a chain if the beads have been miscounted.

Presentation:  Roll out a rug.  Select a bead chain from the holder and the corresponding set of arrows and bring them to the rug.  Lay the bead chain in a straight (horizontal) line on the rug.  Remove the arrows from their container and arrange so that the numbers are displayed, but not necessarily in numerical order.  Beginning on the left, count the beads and place the appropriate arrow pointing to the bead that it refers to.  After all of the arrows have been placed say the names of the larger (end of the segment) numbers (i.e. 4, 8, 12, 16 for the four chain).  Replace the arrows and return the arrows and chain.  Roll up and put away the rug or begin with another chain.

Extension 1:  Encourage the child to copy the chain into a copy book or provide a Short Bead Chain Booklet for him to color.

Extension 2:  Fold the chain so that it resembles a square.  Place the arrows along the top and right side of the square.


Specifics:  This bead chain was created at home.  These Short Bead Chain Arrows were created by Polestar Private School.  Neinhuis Montessori carries the bead chains and arrows.  

Creating the Short Bead Chain with arrows:  
    Material List: (All beads are 8mm faceted plastic beads.)
        1 red (Christmas red) bead, (to make 1 segment containing 1 bead)
        4 green (Christmas green) beads, (to make 2 segments containing 2 beads each)
        9 pink beads, (to make 3 segments containing 3 beads each)
        16 yellow beads, (to make 4 segments containing 4 beads each)
        25 light blue beads, (to make 5 segments containing 5 beads each)
        36 purple beads, (to make 6 segments containing 6 beads each)
        49 clear beads, (to make 7 segments containing 7 beads each)
        64 brown (rootbeer) beads, (to make 8 segments containing 8 beads each)
        81 dark blue beads, (to make 9 segments containing 9 beads each)
        100 gold (champagne) beads, (to make 10 segments containing 10 beads each)
        20 guage copper wire,
        wire tool,
        scissors,
        1 copy of the Short Bead Frame Arrows, laminated and cut,
        10 small containers (for example, 3/4 oz portion cups or baby food jars)  
      Cut the wire to the approximate length required for one segment.  Using the wire tool, curl the end of the wire into a loop.  String the appropriate number of beads for the segment, trim the wire as necessary and curl the second end of the wire.  Repeat until the correct number of segments have been completed for the chain.  Make an "s" hook from a small piece of wire to connect segments.  Make an "o" from a small piece of wire and attach to one end of the chain for hanging.