Color Bead Stair AKA Short Bead Stair
 

Material: Nine bead bars corresponding to units from 1-9 but in different colors, one bar is red, two bar is green, three bar is peach, four bar is yellow, five bar is light blue, six bar is lavender, seven bar is white, eight bar is brown, and nine bar is dark blue.

Please note: You can introduce the Color Bead Stair as a parallel exercise (in the same time frame) as the Decimal System (1-9,999). It is usually shown after the child has done the Cards and Counters activity (1-10). It can also depend on the child's interest as to when to introduce it.
 

Presentation:
1. Set out the stair from one to nine in a right triangle (as shown). Some teachers make a pyramid but the pyramid shape is harder for younger children to make.

It is also a good idea to line up the beads at the edge of the mat as it helps the child line them up by giving them a boarder. Pick up the red one and ask the child "What is this?" If the child says "One." Then go on to the green two and ask "What is this?" When you get to a number the child does not know, give them a Three Period Lesson on that number and the next two numbers

2. Three Period Lesson. First Period: Pick up the one and say "This is one." Then put it down. Pick up the two and say "This is two." Then put it down. Pick up the three and say "This is three." Then put it down.

3. Second Period: "Could you give me the one." Child places the one in your hand. "Thank you. How many beads does it have? Let's count. What color is it? Red." Teacher puts the one back on the mat.

Child should touch and count the bead(s) with her thumb and pointer finger. Repeat with the two, then the three, or what ever numbers the child is working on. You can also play a game where you ask the child: "Please put the one on my lap. Thank you. Please place the one on your elbow. If child picks up the wrong number, like the two, say "That's the two, I want the one."

4. Third Period: Pick up the one and ask the child "What is this." Repeat with the two, then the three. If child says the wrong number, like the two instead of the one, say "That's the two, this is the one," and hold up the one. In other words, don't say "Wrong!" or "No!" Just give them the correct name.

5. With older children you can do all the beads in one day, younger children can do have one lesson a day for a week or so. So, for example, on day one you give them a lesson on the 1, 2, and 3. The next day the 4, 5, and 6, etc. You can also see if the child remembered the numbers she had a lesson on the previous day because if she forgot you should repeat it (the number the child forgot).

Indirect Aim: Mathematics

Direct Aim: To familiarize the child with the quantities and colors of the short bead stair.

Age: Around 4 to 4 1/2.