MA 2.06Golden Bead Addition
Two or three children each bring a quantity, combine them, exchange where needed, and read the sum.
Presentation
- 1
Give each of two children a number made of small cards, such as 1,432 and 2,315. Each child brings that quantity from the bank.
- 2
Each child lays out their beads with their cards above; check each one together.
- 3
Say: 'Addition is putting together.' Push the two quantities into one pile, starting with the units.
- 4
Count the combined units, then tens, hundreds, and thousands; find the large cards for each and stack them: 3,747.
- 5
Lay the addend cards one below the other, lay the sum below them, and read: '1,432 plus 2,315 equals 3,747'.
- 6
In a later lesson use addends whose units total more than nine. When a category reaches ten or more, the child exchanges before counting the next category.
- 7
Have an older child record the problem on paper in columns.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Three addends.
- Exchanging in two or more categories in one problem.
- One child works alone with prepared problem slips and records answers.
Control of error
The child recounts the combined beads against the sum cards; any category with ten or more beads left in it shows a missed exchange.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Combines, exchanges, and reads the sum without prompting
- Starts counting and exchanging from the units
- Explains what addition means in own words