Numeration of the Decimal System

Exercise 2: Complete Layout of Number Cards

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MATERIAL:

The large number cards

AGE:

4 years and older

PURPOSE:

To give the understanding that every time "9" is reached, we go to the "1" of the next hierarchy

To understand the written symbols

EXERCISE:

The teacher takes the large number cards and sits beside the child at a table which is large enough for the exercise.  She takes the unit cards and asks the child to name them as she lays them out.  She places "1" at the top left of the table and the rest in a column under the "1" card, while the child counts, "one, two,...nine."  The teacher then takes the "ten" cards.  She places the "10" just to the left of, and parallel to the "1" card. Under the "10" card, she places 20, 30, etc, in a column and shows the child to count, "One ten, two tens, three tens,"...up to nine tens, as she does so.  (Note:  The names twenty, thirty, up to ninety are taught in a subsequent lesson.  At this time, we refer to the number of tens.)  She then takes the 100 cards.  She places the 100 a little to the left of, and parallel to the 10 card.  She arranges the hundred cards in a column while the child names them, "100, 200,...900".  Then, the teacher takes the thousand cards.  She places the "1000" card slightly to the left of, and parallel to the 100 card.  She lays the thousand cards in a column while the child names them, "1000, 2000,... 9000".  The teacher and child look at the result.  The child gets a clear impression of 1 to 9 in each category.  This exercise must be repeated on subsequent days.  The material is kept available for the child to use in this way whenever he or she likes.