Montessori Homeschool Math lessons: All done for $14 from the Dollar Store!

Cards and Counters work

Montessori math is a fantastic way to teach children about numeration, and you can start as young as 2 years old. By experiencing both the concrete and the abstract, children get a strong foundation for which to build on for future mathematical work. This “work” ( work is what we call a lesson in Montessori) is suited for children ages 3-6 years. But could be used with younger or older children. 

Everything I used was bought from the Dollar Store! I spent $14 Total!

I have broken it down into four lessons for the children. Each lesson should be mastered before moving on to the next lesson. I would also encourage you to demonstrate the lesson first for your child.

Here is the lesson progression:

1. Layout numbers 1-10
2. Numbers and wooden dowels
3. Numbers with glass beads
4. Odd and Even

Lesson 1: 1-10 Layout

1. Show the child the work on the shelf. 
2. Have them bring it to the table.
3. Show them how to pour out the numbers and find the number one. Then ask, “what is this?”.
4. Lay it down on the far left saying its name “One.”
5. Continue doing the same through number ten.
6. When finished, teach them how to clean it up and return it back to the shelf or where it lives in your home.
7. Tell your child they can do this work anytime they would like.

Lesson 2 

1. Show the child the work on the shelf.
2. Have them bring it to the table. 
3. Show them how to lay it out on a mat or towel.
4. Ask them to place the numbers in order from left to right, saying its name aloud.
5. Pick up one dowel and place it in the palm of your hand saying “one” and then place it under the number one saying “one.” 
6. Repeat until you reach ten, each time counting the dowels in your hand as you pick them up and again as you lay them down. That way, the children will hear and see if they have miscounted. Self correcting is always good.

Once the children have the hang of it, feel free to walk away and let them finish and they can either show you when they have completed it or allow them to clean up on their own and place it back on the shelf.

*Make sure you only have the exact number of wooden dowels in the basket, as a control of error. 

Lesson 3

1. Show the child the work on the shelf.
2. Have them bring it to the table. 
3. Show them how to lay it out on the mat or towel.
4. Ask them to lay out the numbers in order from left to right, saying its name aloud.
5. Pour out the glass beads onto the top left corner of the towel or mat. Pick up one glass bead and place it in the palm of your hand saying “one” and then place it under the number one saying “one.” 
6. Continue through 10.
7. Show the pattern of two beads per row to the children. 

*Make sure you only have the exact number of glass beads in the jar as a control of error. 

Lesson 4 

1. Show the child the work on the shelf.
2. Have them bring it to the table. 
3. Ask them to lay out the “work” with the numbers one through ten and the beads in their place. Feel free to walk away and then ask them to find you when they have finished.
4.  Run your finger through the set of two beads and say, “this is a set and it allows me run my finger through it. It is an even number.” Then run your finger through the set of three and say, “this set has an odd tale on it that makes my finger stop. This is an odd number.” 
5. Continue to go through the numbers asking is this odd or even? 

Each child will vary in how quickly they make it through this work. Some will finish in a few months and some may need a solid year or two. These fundamental lessons will help build concentration, coordination, and order in your children!

Let me know if you like learning some of these Montessori lessons and if you would like to see more.