Ten Frame Beads...

I found this idea on Donna's blog called "Math Coach's Corner," and I just finished making 25 of them for my 2nd graders next year.  Yes, you heard me correctly, 2nd graders!  I am moving from 4th grade to 2nd grade next school year, and I am so excited!!!  I LOVED 4th grade, but I am looking forward to my new little 2nd graders.  

Anyway, here are the pictures and steps on how to make your own set of "Rekenrek" calculation racks.  I would love to hear any suggestions for a cutesy name for these little beaded boards.  So please leave me comments!

First, I bought some foam sheets from Michaels, and cut them down to 4" by 6".  

Foam Sheets...

 I used a pencil and a ruler to measure a rectangle that is about 1" away from the outside edges, and the two lines are about 1 1/2" away from each other.  

4 pencil dots in the corners, for the chenille stems to pass through.

Then I cut about 1 1/2" off of the end of black chenille stems.  I just poked them through the dots on the end, and bent them over about 2" worth. 

You will need 2 chenille stems per board...

Thread the stem through, and bend it down on the back side of the foam board.

Then I put on 5 red beads, and 5 yellow beads, to make ten beads total.  I used red and yellow beads, because I have those manipulative chips that are two sided, red and yellow; and I think when we use both for adding and subtracting, my students will recognize the colors when making fives, and tens.  =)

Thread the beads onto the chenille stems.

After you have the 10 beads on the stem, poke it through the dot on the other side. 

Poke the stem through the other dot, and bend it down on the back side of the foam. 

Finally, I twisted the two ends of the stems together and wrapped them around, so no ends would stick up.

Twist them together...and

wrap them around each other, so they don't stick up.

 Of course, I had to make them cute, so I added some ocean stickers to go with my beach theme in my classroom.  

Cute stickers...

 
I can't wait to use these in my class.  It is a great idea for adding and subtracting, and for kids to be able to slide the beads and manipulate them as they make groups of five, ten, etc...  

Class set...  =)

Have fun making your own set.  Please leave me a comment about a cute name that I could refer to these little "Rekenrek" boards.  The more I say the Dutch Mathematician who designed this idea, the more I like how it sounds, and my 2nd graders might actually like calling them by his name.  =)  

2 comments Math Ideas, Rekenrek boards