The First 2 Strips For Addition / Subtraction Strip Board: Red / Blue / Natural is a Mathematics Montessori material designed for children aged 3-6, crafted by Nienhuis Montessori to AMI standards.
Essential wooden strips designed to complement the Addition and Subtraction Strip Boards in Montessori mathematics. These precisely marked strips in red, blue, and natural wood serve as the foundational manipulatives for concrete mathematical operations, allowing children to physically construct and solve addition and subtraction problems through hands-on exploration.
“Children display a universal love of mathematics, which is par excellence the science of precision, order, and intelligence.”— Maria MontessoriThe Discovery of the Child
“The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say, 'The children are now working as if I did not exist.'”
— Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind
The First 2 Strips for Addition/Subtraction Strip Board transform abstract numbers into tangible wooden pieces that children can physically manipulate and combine. Each red, blue, and natural wood strip represents a specific quantity through its precisely marked length, allowing the child to build equations by placing strips end-to-end on the board. This wooden material bridges the gap between counting objects and understanding numerical relationships - when a child places a 3-strip next to a 5-strip, they can see and touch that together these strips reach the 8 mark on their board. The color-coding of red and blue strips distinguishes between addends in addition work and minuend/subtrahend in subtraction, while the natural wood strips provide flexibility for various mathematical explorations. Through repeated manipulation of these wooden strips, children internalize that addition means combining lengths and subtraction means removing a portion, building a concrete foundation for abstract mathematical thinking that emerges naturally from their physical discoveries with the strips.
Each order includes everything needed for proper presentation and long-term use.
Follow the Montessori method of presentation for optimal child development.
For addition: Select any red strip (first addend) and place it starting from the left edge of the board
Choose a blue strip (second addend) and place it directly after the red strip with no gap
Read where the blue strip ends on the numbered board to find the sum
For subtraction: Place a blue strip at the number being subtracted from (minuend)
Place a red strip from the left edge to show what's being subtracted
Record the equation on paper using the strip numbers and result
Every material is carefully selected for durability, safety, and authentic Montessori experience.
Crafted from smooth, durable wood that provides the ideal weight and texture for small hands learning mathematical concepts.
Each material supports multiple areas of child development simultaneously.
Builds concrete understanding of addition and subtraction through physical manipulation of numbered strips.
Color-coding helps children distinguish between mathematical operations and organize their work systematically.
Precise placement of strips on the board develops hand control and coordination essential for later writing.
Bridges the gap between concrete manipulation and abstract mathematical concepts through repeated practice.
Designed for child-sized hands
Professional tips from AMI-trained guides to maximize the educational value of this material.
“Store strips in clearly labeled containers sorted by color and number for independent access”
Introduce addition strips first, allowing mastery before presenting subtraction concept
Model precise strip alignment - gaps or overlaps will produce incorrect answers
Create equation cards that match strip combinations for self-checking work
Everything you need to know about this material.
These wooden strips are essential components of the Montessori Addition and Subtraction Strip Boards. Children use them to physically represent numbers and construct mathematical equations, making abstract concepts concrete through hands-on manipulation.
The red strips typically represent the first addend or minuend, blue strips represent the second addend or subtrahend, and natural strips can be used for answers or additional practice. This color-coding helps children visually distinguish between different parts of mathematical operations.
Yes, these strips are specifically designed to work with the Montessori Addition and Subtraction Strip Boards. The boards provide the structured grid and guidelines necessary for proper use of the strips in mathematical exercises.
Children develop number sense, understanding of quantity, addition and subtraction concepts, fine motor skills, concentration, and the ability to work independently. The strips also prepare children for mental math by providing concrete experiences with number relationships.
This set includes the first 2 strips for use with Addition/Subtraction Strip Boards. For complete work with these boards, you'll need full sets of strips numbered 1-9 (and sometimes 1-18 for addition), which are typically purchased separately or as complete sets.
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