What is static addition? Quite simply, it is the addition process that does not require carrying. When starting structured mathematics lessons, barring counting, the first and most basic lesson is static addition. The easiest way to teach addition in a concrete fashion is using counting bears, or Cheerios, or M&M’s, or any other small objects with which small groupings can be combined to demonstrate the addition process. A bead frame, or abacus, is another method for doing this. I had never used an abacus before learning Montessori techniques (a licensed degreed math teacher!), and I regret that I waited so long to learn the benefits of using one. In addition to aiding in the addition process, it also reinforces knowledge of place value. The small Montessori bead frame can be utilized for numbers up to 10,000, but the larger bead frames that we use go up to 1 billion.
The great thing about the bead frames is once you learn how to use them on a small scale, performing operations on a larger scale is just as easy, children can add and subtract numbers with 10 places very quickly and with great ease. Basically, each strand of the bead frame represents each place value, with the top being units, the second strand down representing the tens place, the third down the hundreds place, and so forth. So the number 317 is shown on the bead frame by moving 7 beads on the top row, 1 on the second row, and 3 on the third row. when adding a number, for example, 42, you would simply slide 2 beads over to join the 7 on the units strand, and slide 4 beads over to join the 1 on the tens strand. For a video on presenting the bead frame as a lesson, watch this. Here are the kids in action.
Macy is working with the small bead frame. This was her first lesson, and she picked it up very easily.
Here is a video of Eryk demonstrating static subtraction…
And here’s Iain demonstrating static addition, the only difference is that the beads move the opposite way.
I had the bright idea to put my class set of math practice cards in a gallon ziplock bag to create an erasable marker board for them to work with. These problems are created such that they aren’t going to remember the answers, so they can work the same set of problems (there are 4 pages, 2 each of addition and subtraction) until they have mastered the process. Eryk already has, and has moved on, Iain is still working on his speed and fluidity, and Macy has only just begun the process.