Students are typically introduced to numbers at age 3: learning
the numbers and number symbols one to ten: the red and blue
rods, sand-paper numerals, association of number rods and
numerals, spindle boxes, cards and counters, counting, sight
recognition, concept of odd and even.
- Introduction to the decimal system typically begins at age
3 or 4. Units, tens, hundreds, thousands are represented by
specially prepared concrete learning materials that show the
decimal hierarchy in three dimensional form: units = single
beads, tens = a bar of 10 units, hundreds = 10 ten bars fastened
together into a square, thousands = a cube ten units long
ten units wide and ten units high. The children learn to first
recognize the quantities, then to form numbers with the bead
or cube materials through 9,999 and to read them back, to
read and write numerals up to 9,999, and to exchange equivalent
quantities of units for tens, tens for hundreds, etc.
Linear Counting: learning the number facts to ten (what numbers
make ten, basic addition up to ten); learning the teens (11
= one ten + one unit), counting by tens (34 = three tens +
four units) to one hundred.
Development of the concept of the four basic mathematical
operations: addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication
through work with the Montessori Golden Bead Material. The
child builds numbers with the bead material and performs mathematical
operations concretely. (This process normally begins by age
4 and extends over the next two or three years.) Work with
this material over a long period is critical to the full understanding
of abstract mathematics for all but a few exceptional children.
This process tends to develop in the child a much deeper understanding
Development of the concept of "dynamic" addition
and subtraction through the manipulation of the concrete math
materials. (Addition and subtraction where exchanging and
regrouping of numbers is necessary.)
Memorization of the basic math facts: adding and subtracting
numbers under 10 without the aid of the concrete materials.
(Typically begins at age 5 and is normally completed by age
Development of further abstract understanding of addition,
subtraction, division, and multiplication with large numbers
through the Stamp Game (a manipulative system that represents
the decimal system as color-keyed "stamps") and
the Small and Large Bead Frames (color-coded abacuses).
Skip counting with the chains of the squares of the numbers
from zero to ten: i.e., counting to 25 by 5's, to 36 by 6's,
etc. (Age 5-6) Developing first understanding of the concept
of the "square" of a number.
Skip counting with the chains of the cubes of the numbers
zero to ten: i.e., counting to 1,000 by ones or tens. Developing
the first understanding of the concept of a "cube"
of a number.
Beginning the "passage to abstraction," the child
begins to solve problems with paper and pencil while working
with the concrete materials. Eventually, the materials are
no longer needed.
Development of the concept of long multiplication and division
through concrete work with the bead and cube materials. (The
child is typically 6 or younger, and cannot yet do such problems
on paper without the concrete materials. The objective is
to develop the concept first.)
Development of more abstract understanding of "short"
division through more advanced manipulative materials (Division
Board); movement to paper and pencil problems, and memorization
of basic division facts. (Normally by age 7-8)
Development of still more abstract understanding of "long"
multiplication through highly advanced and manipulative materials
(the Multiplication Checkerboard). (Usually age 7-8)
Development of still more abstract understanding of "long
division" through highly advanced manipulative materials
(Test Tube Division apparatus). (Typically by age 7-8)
Solving problems involving parentheses, such as (3 X 4) -
(2 + 9) = ?
Missing sign problems: In a given situation, should you add,
divide, multiply or subtract ?
Introduction to problems involving tens of thousands, hundreds
of thousands, and millions. (Normally by age 7.)
Study of fractions: Normally begins when children using the
short division materials who find that they have a "remainder"
of one and ask whether or not the single unit can be divided
further. The study of fractions begins with very concrete
materials (the fraction circles), and involves learning names,
symbols, equivalencies common denominators, and simple addition,
subtraction, division, and multiplication of fractions up
to "tenths". (Normally by age 7-8)
Study of decimal fractions: all four mathematical operations.
(Normally begins by age 8-9, and continues for about two years
until the child totally grasps the ideas and processes.)
Practical application problems, which are used to some extent
from the beginning, become far more important around age 7-8
and afterward. Solving word problems, and determining arithmetic
procedures in real situations becomes a major focus.
Money: units, history, equivalent sums, foreign currencies
(units and exchange). (Begins as part of social studies and
applied math by age 6.)
Interest: concrete to abstract; real life problems involving
credit cards and loans; principal, rate, time.
Computing the squares and cubes of numbers: cubes and squares
of binomials and trinomials. (Normally by age 10)
Calculating square and cube roots: from concrete to abstract.
(Normally by age 10 or 11)
The history of mathematics and its application in science,
engineering, technology & economics.
Reinforcing application of all mathematical skills to practical
problems around the school and in everyday life.
Basic data gathering, graph reading and preparation, and statistical
Sensorial exploration of plane and solid figures at the Primary
level (Ages 3 to 6): the children learn to recognize the names
and basic shapes of plane and solid geometry through manipulation
of special wooden geometric insets. They then learn to order
them by size or degree.
Stage I: Basic geometric shapes. (Age 3-4)
Stage II: More advanced plane geometric shapes-triangles,
polygons, various rectangles and irregular forms. (Age 3-5)
Stage III: Introduction to solid geometric forms and their
relationship to plane geometric shapes. (Age 2-5)
Study of the basic properties and definitions of the geometric
shapes. This is essentially as much a reading exercise as
mathematics since the definitions are part of the early language
More advanced study of the nomenclature, characteristics,
measurement and drawing of the geometric shapes and concepts
such as points, line, angle, surface, solid, properties of
triangles, circles, etc. (Continues through age 12 in repeated
Congruence, similarity, equality, and equivalence.
The history of applications of geometry.
The theorem of Pythagoras.
The calculation of area and volume.