Using a Chinese Abacus

Objectives:

Students will learn the mechanics of an abacus.  This activity will also strengthen their understanding of place values and of mental math.

Agenda:

Day one:  Students will first practice reading numbers on the abacus that their partners will give them.  Then they will practice adding and subtracting while their partners check their work with a pencil and paper.

Day two:  Students will continue practicing their addition and subtraction.  When I see that most students fully understand we will have a contest:  abacus vs. paper and abacus vs. calculator.

Warm-Up:

Math problems (1)

• 2+2=

• 3+3=

• 4+4=

• 5+5=

• 6+6=

• 9+9=

• 12+12=

On the abacus (2):  Students will do the same problems from the previous day.

Instruction:

I will lead the students through an explanation of how to read the numbers, how to add numbers and how to subtract numbers.

Group work:

Students will work together to read, add, and subtract.  When I am done explaining they will help and test each other.

Supplement:

Contest:  Abacus vs. Paper and Abacus vs. Calculator (if they get advance enough).

Evaluations:

• I will first evaluate them by asking each student if they can read a number on my abacus.

• I will then walk around and watch each pair of students as they test each other.

• During the contest I will give points to the winners of each round.