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Abacus Teacher Resources
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Create an abacus! Use problem solving as a way for learners to visualize the act of addition and subtraction. They design and construct an abacus to use as a visual representation of various mathematical procedures. Web links are included.
The class reads an explanation of the how the ancient calculation tool, the abacus, works. They examine four abacus images and record the number shown on each of them.
Explore the many mathematical uses of the Suan Pan or Chinese Abacus. Learners use the abacus to demonstrate the commutative, associative, and distributive properties. They also use it to demonstrate place value. A great way to mix math and history!
Young scholars explore the various uses for the abacus. After a brief discussion of Chinese culture and the invention of the abacus, students practice using an abacus to display numbers and mathematic operations. They identify numbers demonstrated on an abacus.
Students investigate the Food Pyramid by constructing a creative project known as a Food Pyramid Abacus. They correlate the color beads withe each food group and the number of recommended servings from each. The abacus is a learning tool and reminder for better health.
Students explore statistical mean. In this calculations lesson, students calculate statistical means and the weight of various planets in the Solar System. Students construct an abacus, an ancient means of calculation.
An abacus may be old, but it's still a great visual tool. Young mathemeticians look at, study and analyze 8 abacus images. They look at each image to determine how many beads are in each place value. They work with thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones places to construct four digit numbers.
Interpreting pictures of an abacus, learners write 2-digit numbers. They read and transcribe abacus beads in the tens and ones places. For extension, they draw pictures to represent the numbers 9 and 90. Really bring it to life using a real abacus or other bead counting system, so little hands can be actively involved in math learning.
Practice basic operations for young mathematicians in fun ways! Using two decks of cards (Ace through 10 plus the joker), learners play "memory" by matching numbers that can be added to make 10 and writing number sentences. In another game, scholars examine clear bags with small items to determine how many more would be needed to make 10. They can use missing addend sentences and search for other groups whose bag has the needed amount to combine! A word problem is also included.
Students explore the history of computation. In this abacus lesson plan, students discover the attributes and history of the abacus and create a timeline featuring the advancement from abacus to computer. Students then use abacuses to practice finger counting and teach the method to younger students in the school building.