Description

As an adult, I still cringe when I think about mathematics! Obviously, I was not fortunate enough to attend a Montessori school. The Long Division material (also known as the Test Tubes and Racks) appears to be quite intimidating. However, as with all things Montessori, as long as there is a firm grounding of; addition, multiplication, subtraction, and simple exercises; the Child is ready for the challenge of mastering the Long Division activity.

Important Points to remember

1. Always work from left to right – i.e. equation = 9,764 / 4 – start with 9,000
2. You always work from the thousands back towards the units.
3. Initially, use ready prepared equations, that do not have remainders. This is why we recommend that you give children the long division activity set which has ready prepared equations, for children to work through.

Features of the Long Division material

• the direct objective for the Child, is to-
  • understand, and follow the long division process, and how to calculate an equation
• indirectly, the Child will-
  • gain a greater understanding of the patterns numbers make
  • this helps them to develop mental tools to aid their memorisation of these patterns, and facts
  • enhance their confidence, and self-esteem
  • have a natural flow for them to move from the concrete to the abstract
• this material helps the Child to understand the decimal system
• support material for the Montessori mathematics curriculum

Contents of the Long Division material

• 4 ‘peg’ boards – 25 cm x 25 cm x 1 cm / (9¾” x 9¾” x ¼”)
  • green – four digit divisor (thousands)
  • red – three digit divisor (hundreds)
  • blue – two digit divisor (tens)
  • green – one digit divisor (units)
• 8 stands that hold beads in test tubes – 13 cm x 5.5 cm x 3 cm / (9¾” x 2¼” x 1″)
  • 1 x black stand – million hierarchy – green (thousands) beads only
  • 3 x grey stands – thousand hierarchy – red (hundreds), blue (tens), and green (units) beads
  • 4 x white stands – simple hierarchy – green (thousands), red (hundreds), blue (tens), and green (units) beads
• 7 bowls – 5 cm ∅ x 3.5 cm height / (2″∅ x 1¾” (h))
  • 2 x red inside with white exterior, and red beads
  • 2 x blue inside with white exterior, and blue beads
  • 3 x green inside with white exterior, and green beads
• 1 box of test tubes
• 1 birch wood box with a loose lid that holds green, red, and blue skittles – 18 cm x 8.5 cm x 4 cm / (7″ x 3¼” x 1½”)

Presentation and storage of the material

A top quality Beech wood tray with 2 handles stores all the contents safely.

The size is 63cm x 21.5cm x 4cm / (24¾” x 8½” x 1½”)

Related Products

• The long division activity set
• The unit division board
• Unit division board activity set

Feature School – Elliot Academy

The Elliot Academy is a division of Brylin Independent Learning Centre.  Brylin boasts a 2.1 ha site in the centre of Port Elizabeth, Gqberha, in a suburb called Fairview.  There are three divisions of the school, namely the Elliot Academy which is comprised of a Montessori babies and toddlers class, and a Pre-Primary and Primary school.  Learners are accepted from 6 months of age into the environment and experience the Montessori babies, toddlers, Pre Primary and Primary up until Grade 7.  The school is small at 60 learners and there is capacity for 120 learners.

At Brylin, we pride ourselves on our exceptional facilities and environment which is safe and stimulating to our young learners.  We have 4 classes, 5 teachers and 4 teaching assistants.  For viewing and enquiries, please contact the Principal at principal@elliotacademy.co.za or call 041-368 7110.

Website

Further Reading and Reference Material

1. New to Montessori – the long division materials written by the Trout Beck School.com

2. The long division with test tube material written by Montessori Second Plane.com