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What is a Montessori 100 Board?
The Montessori 100 Board (also called a hundreds chart) is a board with a 10 by 10 grid pattern and tiles numbered from 1-100. Like almost all materials used in a Montessori classroom, the 100 board is “sensorial” (meaning it is a self-correcting and hands-on material, where the child uses its senses while working). A typical board is made from a wooden frame and wooden tiles, but the one we are going to make is made from fabric and ceramic/stone tiles. You can print the board out on paper for some exercises, but it’s nice having a “real” one as well.
Click for a FREE printable Montessori 100 board I have made.
What can it be used for and what are the benefits?
As I mentioned above, the Montessori 100 board is used for developing the child’s senses. Using the Montessori 100 board is good training not only for counting, but also skip counting. It helps children see mathematical patterns. The child can use it to work independently, putting the numbers in sequential order or you can place a few tiles and have the child put the tiles that come after and before these numbers. You can have them put out only even or odd numbers. Possibilities are endless. The Montessori 100 board is also an excellent tool to practice skip counting by tens!
How to make your own Montessori 100 board
- Choose the type and size of the tiles. I found mine at Lowe’s. Originally I wanted white tiles, but I couldn’t find any, so these had to do. They are 7/8 x 7/8. Just make sure the tiles used aren’t sharp or break too easily.
- Write numbers from 1 to 100 with sharpie on the tiles. Save some blank extras in case numbers get lost over time.
- Choose neutral colored fabric felt (thick) for the “board” itself. I chose dark grey. Cut out a square that fits your 100 squares. You’ll have to give some extra room in between the tiles, as well as on the sides. For example for my 7/8 squares I cut out a 12 inches x 12 inches square (1 inch for each square and one inch border all around).
- Mark the squares with a fabric marker, then sew along the lines to create the tiled pattern. This part might take some time and requires a bit of patience. You can also skip sewing by marking the pattern with a sharpie, but I wanted a more clean look and therefore I went for sewing.
- Voila! Introduce the new Montessori 100 board to your children! I promise -they will enjoy it for years to come!
Online resources and ideas to use with 100 boards
-Malia at Playdough to Plato has some neat ideas for kids to do with a 100 board.
–At Math-Aids.com you can find some additional activities, including some nice hundreds chart puzzles. At this site you can dynamically create age appropriate math sheets.
-Take a look at “30 things to do with a hundred chart” at Let’s play math. Denise lists several good ideas on how to use the board/chart.
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