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Egg Carton Abacus

Carol Hartery's Free Activity Tools

Make your own Abacus

Include PDF picture of completed project

In the past week or so several parents have come to the store looking for something to help their child understand place value.  When I was being trained to become a teacher we were shown ways to use buttons, beans, Cuisenaire Rods, and other manipulatives to teach mathematical concepts to our students.  This hands-on approach to learning helps a child visualize the concept being taught to them. 

While I was talking with a parent today I suddenly remembered the place value tool I created for my students more than 25 years ago.  It is a tool that a parent can make with their child or a classroom teacher can make with or for their students.  I do believe that many children will be more willing to use the tool if they help to create it. 

Instructions

You will need one cardboard egg carton, 4 pipe cleaners, 40 beads (called pony beads), a pen, and 4 small labels. 

Place an egg carton on a table so that the bottom of the carton is facing you.  Starting from the right use a pencil to pierce a hole in 4 pairs of egg cups.  Lace 10 beads (called pony beads) onto a pipe cleaner.  Thread the ends of the pipe cleaner through the first pair of holes.  Twist the ends which are now inside the carton together.  Shape the pipe cleaner so that it is a horseshoe shape. 

Create small labels with the words "ones, tens, hundreds, thousands."  Attach the "ones" label below the first pipe cleaner that is furthest to the right.  Moving towards the left attach tens, hundreds, thousands. 

Move all of the beads to the far side of the carton.  Now slide beads forward to show the number 1957. Start by going from right to left: 7 ones, 5 tens, 9 hundreds, and 1 thousand. Talk with your child.  How many tens are there, ones are there, etc. 

Enjoy!

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