Multiplication With Bead Bars

Multiplication With Bead Bars
Math - Memory Work
Level	Primary
Age	5+

This activity helps to teach the child multiplication facts.

Presentation

1. Carry the material to a large mat. Place the box of bead bars in the upper right corner.

   

2. For the first set of problems choose multiplication by 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, or 9. (We've used 7 here.) Take out one 7 bar and lay it horizontally as shown. Say, "This is seven one time. Seven times one."

   

3. Use the pointer to count the beads.

   

4. Lay the answer vertically beneath the first bead bar.

   

5. Take out two 7 bars and lay them as shown. Say, "This is seven two times. Seven times two." Use the pointer to count until you reach ten. Leave the pointer in place.

   

6. Take a ten bar from the box and lay it as shown. Continue counting the rest of the beads starting over from one to see how many beads are remaining.

   

7. step seven

   

8. step eight

   

9. step nine

   

10. Put all the beads back in the box. Repeat the process with another number.

    

11. When doing multiplication of tens there won't be enough bead bars in the set to do all the problems. Do the first few and then reuse the bead bars for the next few. Allow the child to discover on her own the pattern in multiplication by ten.

    

Material

Make Your Own

Not counting the cost of wire or a box, you would need to find beads for less than 2¢ a piece to be a better deal than the lowest cost pre-made option.
To make a set with 55 of each bead bar you will need a total of 3025 beads (55 red, 110 green, 165 peach, 220 yellow, 275 turquoise, 330 lavender, 385 white, 440 brown, 495 dark blue, and 550 gold). I've included the approximate price per bead for each: (¢).

• Free 3D printing pattern on Thingiverse

6mm Faceted Round Plastic Beads

• Bead Bee (color mix) $4.98/1000 (0.498¢)
• Bead Bee (pick colors) $4.98/1000 (0.498¢)
• Beads in Bulk (color mix) $14.87/4018 (0.37¢)
• Beads in Bulk (pick colors) $10.88-$14.51/4018 (0.27¢-0.36¢)
• Consumer Crafts (color mix) $1.17/480 (0.244¢)
• Consumer Crafts (color mix) $2.97/1500 (0.198¢)
• Consumer Crafts (pick colors) $1.17/480 (0.244¢)
• Craft Kits and Supplies (color mix) $3.99/1000 (0.399¢)
• Craft Kits and Supplies (pick colors) $3.99/1000 (0.399¢)
• The Crafts Outlet (pick colors) $1.10/200 (0.55¢), $5.99/1000 (0.599¢)
• Shipwreck Beads (color mix) $2.49/500 (0.498¢), $3.75/1000 (0.375¢), $11.50/4000 (0.2875¢), $33.00/12,000 (0.275¢)
• Shipwreck Beads (pick colors) $1.97-$2.50/500 (0.394¢-0.5¢), $2.90-$3.65/1000 (0.29¢-0.365¢), $11.50-$13.80/5000 (0.23¢-0.276¢), $31.80-$41.00/15,000 (0.212¢-0.273¢)

6mm Smooth Round Plastic Beads

• Jann's Netcraft (pick colors) $6.99/1000 (0.699¢)
• Mud Hole (pick colors) $1.87/100 (1.87¢)
• Shipwreck Beads (color mix) $2.25/500 (0.45¢), $3.00/1000 (0.3¢), $11.00/4500 (0.24¢), $30.00/13,500 (0.22¢)
• Shipwreck Beads (pick colors) $2.89-$3.15/126 (2.29¢-2.5¢), $8.35-$9.25/504 (1.65¢-1.83¢), $13.47-$14.75/1008 (1.34¢-1.46¢), $38.30-$42.55/3024 (1.26¢-1.41¢)
• Shipwreck Beads (pick colors) $3.39/200 (1.695¢), $7.95/600 (1.325¢), $9.95/1000 (0.995¢)

Where to Buy

Prices and links checked: 23 January 2022
(Amazon/Bookshop are affiliate links, which help cover costs of running the site.)

Decanomial Bead Bar Box (55 of each)
Store	Price
Adena	$108.88
Affordable Montessori	$130.00
Alison's	$104.73
Bruins	$312.00
E & O	$175.50
IFIT	$115.00
Kid Advance	$115.99
Leader Joy	$118.95
Montessori Outlet	$123.95
Nienhuis nylon beads	$345.50
Nienhuis glass beads	$410.50
Thinkamajigs	$139.95
Wintergreen	$539.95
Wintergreen nylon beads	$459.95
Wintergreen quantity unclear	$145.95

Multiplication Bead Bar Layout Box (different number of each)
Store	Price
Bruins 100 ten bars	$345.00
Nienhuis nylon beads	$376.10
Nienhuis glass beads	$448.60
Wintergreen glass beads	$589.95
Wintergreen nylon beads	$499.95

Checkerboard Bead Bar Box (20 of each bar)
Store	Price
Adena	$38.92
Albanesi	$182.00
Alison's	$71.66
Alison's premium	$90.00
Bruins	$140.00
E & O	$84.60
IFIT	$37.00
Kid Advance	$43.99
Leader Joy	$45.95
Montessori Outlet	$47.95
Nienhuis nylon beads	$174.60
Nienhuis glass beads	$185.30
Thinkamajigs	$52.95
Wintergreen glass bead	$239.95
Wintergreen nylon beads	$224.95
Wintergreen	$47.95

10 of each bead bar (no 10 bars)
Store	Price
Affordable Montessori has ten bars	$45.00
Alison's	$36.75
Bruins	$104.00
IFIT	$37.00
IFIT	$24.00
Nienhuis nylon beads	$92.35
Nienhuis glass beads	$116.00

Further Reading

• Teaching Montessori in the Home: The School Years by Elizabeth G. Hainstock, page 71