SE 5.01Baric Tablets
The child sorts wooden tablets of the same size by weight, holding them on the fingertips with eyes closed.
Age 4–5½Work 1 of 1 in Baric (Weight)
Presentation
- 1
Begin with only the lightest and heaviest sets. Mix the tablets on the table.
- 2
Place one tablet on the flat pads of the fingers of each hand, not gripping.
- 3
Move both hands up and down slightly a few times to feel the weight.
- 4
Place the heavier tablet to one side and the lighter to the other.
- 5
Continue with the next two tablets until all are sorted into two piles.
- 6
Show the child that the heavy tablets are the darker wood.
- 7
Give the three-period lesson: "heavy", "light".
- 8
Repeat with eyes closed or blindfolded.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Add the medium tablets and sort into three piles.
- Grade one of each weight from heaviest to lightest: "heavy, heavier, heaviest".
- Sort blindfolded with all three weights mixed.
- Compare other classroom objects by lifting: which is heavier?
Control of error
The color of the wood: each weight is a different color, so the child opens the eyes and checks.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Sorts two weights blindfolded without error
- Sorts three weights blindfolded
- Uses heavy/heavier/heaviest and light/lighter/lightest