Baric Tablets
From Montessori Album
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| Baric Tablets | |
|---|---|
| Sensorial - Sense of Weight | |
 | |
| Level | Primary |
| Age | 4+ |
| Prerequisites | Rough and Smooth Boards Fabrics |
| Materials | 2 or 3 boxes of Baric Tablets blindfold (optional) |
This activity teaches the child to discern differences in weight.
Presentations
Sorting Two Different Weights
- Take the box of the heaviest tablets and the box of the lightest tablets to a table or mat.
- Mix up the tablets from the two boxes and place them in a stack in the middle of the table.
- step three
- step four
- step five
Sorting Three Different Weights
- Carry three boxes of baric tablets to a table one at a time. Place them in the upper right corner.
- Mix all the tablets and place in a stack in the middle of the table.
- Sort in the same way as with two sets.
Points of Interest
Control of Error
- Many commercial baric tablets are made of different woods which have very different specific weights. Being of different colors and appearance (think pine, beech, oak, balsa, mahogany...), the baric activity is done with eyes closed, and control of error with eyes open.
- The tablets, or other materials used for this activity, can be marked in the back in case they have the same appearance. Thus, once they have been paired or sorted, the child can confirm visually.
- Also, a balance can be used.
Variations and Extensions
- A variation could be made to allow for paired matching or grading by weight (see Make Your Own below).
- balance
Material
The baric tablets consist of two or three types of wooden tablets. These are all the same size and shape, but because they are made of different types of wood, they have different densities and so, different weights.
Make Your Own
- This is a baric matching activity made with painted baby-food jars filled with different numbers of pennies. These could also be used for grading by using just half (one color) of the set.
- (For a detailed description of how this was done, see Little Schoolhouse in the Suburbs.)
Where to Buy
Prices and links checked: 23 January 2022
| Baric Tablets | |
|---|---|
| Store | Price |
| Adena | $24.89 |
| Affordable Montessori | $29.00 |
| Alison's | $38.58 |
| Alison's | $55.00 |
| Bruins | $60.00 |
| E & O | $46.00 |
| IFIT | $22.00 |
| Montessori Outlet | $39.95 |
| Nienhuis | $72.70 |
| Thinkamajigs | $29.95 |
Further Reading
- The Montessori Method by Maria Montessori, page 187
- Basic Montessori: Learning Activities for Under-fives by David Gettman, page 119-121
- Teaching Montessori in the Home: The Pre-School Years by Elizabeth G. Hainstock, page 58, 91
