Math
Math begins with the recognition of symbols and their corresponding quantities. After mastering the numbers one to ten, a child creates the numbers 11 through 19. Using the golden bead material, which represents units, tens, hundreds, and thousands, children can create numbers up to 9999.
Children will be introduced to addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, using hands-on materials that allow them to fully understand the concepts. In the Montessori classroom, children experience math. We often have parents say “I wish somebody had taught math to ME that way. I would have understood it much better.”
During the three-year Children’s House curriculum, our students become adept at skip-counting, working with squares and cubes of numbers (using actual physical squares and cubes made of beads), and create the cube of the trinomial as a colorful puzzle (unaware of the algebraic sophistication of the material until years later).
Dr. Montessori was brilliant in her design of these math materials, and at Keystone we have a full complement of the highest quality materials in each classroom. Because the bead materials are truly beautiful, children love to work with them, and treat them with care and respect.
