How is this activity presented?
This is a wonderful activity which is usually done in groups. The directress begins by asking the children to unroll three floor-mats one by one next to each other. She asks one child to lay out the beads in the correct sequence on one mat and then asks another child to lay out the number cards on another mat. Each child should have a tray with a piece of felt on it.
The directress usually chooses a banker who hands the correct number cards which refer to the beads on his tray. The directress gives the child a quantity of beads onto his tray, for example, 4 units, the child is then asked to go to the banker to receive the corresponding number cards. The child re-verbalizes what number he has received from the banker. The child returns his beads and cards and lets another child have a turn.
The directress can move onto the next hierarchy once she feels the children are ready, for example, 4 tens and 5 units.
She can then move onto hundreds and thousands in the same manner. She usually helps the children overlap the cards once they have advanced.
