Montessori abacus made from RE-Wood, 7 rows, 7 digits

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€27⁸⁹

Discover the magic of numbers and arithmetic with our Abacus in distinctive Montessori colors. This uniquely designed abacus is not just an educational tool but also a stimulus for t... Read more

Description

Discover the magic of numbers and arithmetic with our Abacus in distinctive Montessori colors. This uniquely designed abacus is not just an educational tool but also a stimulus for the imagination. Even mathematics beginners can effortlessly calculate numbers up to the millions, without additional aids.

Each row on the frame corresponds to a specific value and has its own color. The first row, colored green, represents the units, while the second row, in blue, stands for the tens. This pattern continues with the hundreds in red and thousands back in green. This color and value pattern repeats up to the millions in green. For added convenience, the corresponding values are listed on the side. Thanks to this layout, users can perform complex calculations without problems, like 266,325 + 1,524,114.

The characteristic Montessori colors are not only visually appealing but also allow the abacus to be combined with other Montessori teaching materials, such as the Markenspiel. The frame is designed with a slight slope, allowing students to easily view and use it, whether standing upright or lying flat on a table. This incline also provides an unobstructed view of the teacher.

The frame is not only practical and educational but also sustainable. Made in Germany, it is crafted from environmentally friendly and sustainable RE-Wood®, which is made up of finely chopped wood residues from German production combined with a binder in an 80:20 ratio. This makes its production particularly efficient and resource-saving. Furthermore, it is 100% recyclable, PEFC-certified, and completely free of harmful substances, contributing to a responsible recycling cycle. Products made from RE-Wood® are strong, lightweight, and have high usage safety. It's important to note that this product is intended for educational purposes under the supervision of an adult, such as a teacher or educator.

The extra-large beads, approximately 13mm in diameter, make handling easier for young calculators and offer a pleasant tactile sensation. The frame's total dimensions are about 25 x 17 x 4.5 cm, making it compact enough for use in any educational setting.

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Learning Arithmetic with Abacuses: A Revolutionary Tool in Elementary Education

An abacus, sometimes referred to as an "arithmetic frame" or "counting frame," is central to the mathematics education of many elementary students. This versatile tool is designed to introduce young children to the basic principles of arithmetic in a visual and interactive manner. But what makes the abacus so unique, and how does it contribute to a child's mathematical understanding?

The fundamental design of a standard abacus includes ten beads on a string, divided into two sets of five. These beads are often painted in two contrasting colors, such as red and white. This color contrast not only serves as a visual stimulus but also aids children in easily recognizing and visualizing numbers. Moreover, there are abacuses with a double row of beads, allowing children to work with numbers up to twenty, further enhancing their grasp of numerical structures.

Interacting with an abacus starts simply: children learn to represent numbers up to ten or twenty by sliding a specific number of beads to one side. This provides a tangible and visual representation of each number, particularly beneficial for children just embarking on their arithmetic journey.

The real magic, however, begins when children start exploring the dynamics of addition and subtraction. Imagine a child attempting to calculate 7 + 4. Using the abacus, the child first pulls 7 beads towards them and then adds 4 more, instantly revealing the result. This method not only boosts numerical understanding but also allows children to uncover other vital concepts like double numbers, their neighbors, and the crucial "bridge to ten" strategy.

The "bridge to ten" is a core arithmetic strategy where children learn to round up to the nearest ten, simplifying addition or subtraction. The color contrast of the beads on the abacus proves invaluable here. Furthermore, children realize there are multiple ways to form a number, like seeing the number 8 as a combination of 5 + 3 or 4 + 4.

What truly sets the abacus apart is that it promotes concrete and visual learning. Instead of numbers remaining abstract concepts, they become tangible and comprehensible. This tool encourages children to think more flexibly about numbers and to realize there are diverse approaches to problem-solving. Additionally, it fosters mathematical conversations, enhancing students' communicative skills and their capacity for logical reasoning.

In conclusion, the abacus is more than just a tool; it's a gateway to the fascinating world of numbers for young learners. By translating abstract concepts into concrete, understandable terms, the abacus ensures that children lay a solid foundation in arithmetic. It's no wonder that this simple yet effective instrument has secured a prominent place in elementary education.

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