MA 2.09Golden Bead Division (Collective)
A quantity is shared equally among several children, starting with the thousands, and the group learns that division is sharing equally.
Presentation
- 1
Form 6,396 with beads and cards. Invite three children to sit in a row.
- 2
Say: 'We will share this equally among three children.'
- 3
Share starting with the thousands: give each child one thousand at a time until none are left. Then share the hundreds, tens, and units.
- 4
Each child counts their share and finds the cards: 2,132.
- 5
Say: 'Each child received 2,132. 6,396 divided by 3 equals 2,132.' Write it.
- 6
In a later lesson use a number that needs exchanging, such as 5,736 ÷ 3. When a category cannot be shared equally, exchange what is left for ten of the next category down and continue.
- 7
Check: all three children put their shares together to rebuild the starting number.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Sharing among two, then four, children.
- Problems with exchanging in two categories.
Control of error
Every child's share must be identical; putting all shares back together must rebuild the starting quantity.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Shares from the largest category down
- Exchanges down when a category cannot be shared equally
- Explains that the answer is what one person receives
Guide note
'Collective' means the divisor is shown by children in a group. Keep problems free of remainders at this stage.