Thousand Chain

Thousand Chain
Math - Linear Counting
Level	Primary
Age	4.5 - 5
Prerequisites	Hundred Chain
Materials	Thousand Chain 10 hundred squares 1 thousand cube labels pointer for counting long mat (30' long)

This activity teaches the child skip counting which is preparation for multiplication. It also indirectly prepares the child to understand cubing numbers.

Presentation

1. Show the child how to carry the chain by looping a segment between the hundreds over each finger.

   

2. Lay out the chain on a long mat as shown. Bring the thousand cube, the 10 hundred squares, the labels, and the counter.

   

3. Have one person hold one end of the chain in place while the other person holds the opposite end and stretches the chain down the length of the mat.

   

4. Fold the bead bars as shown to form squares of 100.

   

5. Set the hundred squares on top to show that they are the same.

   

6. Stack the hundred squares next to the thousand cube to show that they are the same.

   

7. Stretch the chain back out again. Sort the labels into columns (1-10 together, 20-100 together, 110-200 together, etc.).

   

8. Count and place labels as you go.

   

9. Move the mat with the labels with you as you work.

   

10. 100, 200, 300, etc. get red labels. The 1000 label at the end is green. The colors correspond to the ones used on the decimal cards.

    

11. Walk the length of the completed chain and read the numbers on the labels.

    

Control of Error

• Using the labels to keep track

Variations and Extensions

• Count the chain backwards: "1000, 999, 998..."
• Count the whole thing by tens: "10, 20, 30, 40..."
• Count backwards by tens: "1000, 990, 980..."
• The child could write their own labels

Material

Where to Buy

Prices and links checked: 23 January 2022

Thousand Chain Mat
Store	Price
Alison's	$32.91
Montessori Services	$75.00
Thinkamajigs	$35.95

Further Reading

• The Advanced Montessori Method: The Montessori Elementary Material by Maria Montessori, pages 208-210