The older children in Primary 2 have been working on the 45 layout throughout the year (also known as The Bird’s Eye View). It is a concrete representation of place value using the golden beads. It consists of:

45 Golden Units

• 45 golden ten bars
• 45 hundred squares
• 45 thousand cubes
• a large set of wooden numerals from 1-9000 (1-9 units; 10-90 tens; 100-900 hundreds; and 1000-9000 thousands)

The children learn to place numeral cards to individual quantities. This activity is one of the foundations of the decimal system. It’s a “big work,” both literally and figuratively. It takes time to build this work, as well as space and focus, and it is done on the floor, where children have room to spread out and walk around the work.

In doing this work, the children are developing concentration, coordination, independence, and a true sense of mathematical order. The materials were proportionally designed for the children to see as well as to feel the numerals’ mathematical value. They actually feel the difference between a single unit, a ten bar, and so on. It gives the children a concrete basis and a solid foundation for more advanced and abstract mathematical thinking. The entire process of building the 45 layout can take anywhere from 45 minutes and up, depending on the individual child.

This is also a good work for a child to work with a partner. The satisfaction the children receive from the completion of this work is quite remarkable. It’s an activity that is repeated again and again. The younger children are sometimes encouraged to watch and assist.

In addition to math, our class has been hard at work planning our herb garden. Keep an eye (and nose) out! It is located right outside our classroom and will be a source of beauty and practical life skills.