Montessori Short Bead Chains and Squares

Kaylee using the Montessori short bead chains and squares

The short bead chains are the number bead bars connected together. They are mainly used for skip counting and they make a square of a number. In the picture, Kaylee is using the short chain of 3. She stretches out the chain and then puts the number arrow at that number of beads. Then, she puts the matching bead square at the end.

The short chain of 3. 

She counts 3-6-9. When you fold up the short bead chain it matches the bead square. It is 3 sets of 3 which is the same as 3x3 or 3 squared. 

All of the short bead chains and squares completed.

The next step is to make a bead chain chart. There is a great explanation, labels, and free chart HERE. 

Beginning to make a bead chain chart.

The chart will help Kaylee to eventually remember the square chains from memory. 

The square chains chart all completed.