Bird's-Eye View Golden Beads Bank Exercise

The Montessori golden beads bank game gives a bird's eye view of the decimal number system.  It is sometimes known as the 45s Layout.

The place value cards are laid out in order in Units, Tens, Hundreds and Thousands columns with the beads required for each number placed next to each card.

This activity gives an excellent opportunity to understand the decimal system and a full explanation of the activity can by found in David Gettman's excellent book.

Ideally this is presented with a limited number of beads to match the the cards: 45 units, 45 tens, 45 hundreds and at least 6 thousand cubes (going up to the 3000 card), having the correct number of beads provides a control of error.

 So the minimum equipment needed is

1 set of place value cards to 3000 (or 9000)

45 units beads

45 tens bars

45 hundreds squares

6 thousands cubes (or 45 if using cards to 9000) 

You then might want trays and bead cups.