The Large Fraction Skittles is a Mathematics Montessori material designed for children aged 6-12, crafted by Nienhuis Montessori to AMI standards.
The Large Fraction Skittles present fractions as tangible, three-dimensional forms that children can manipulate and compare. Each wooden skittle displays vertical colored sections representing different fractions, allowing students to physically grasp the relationship between parts and wholes while developing a concrete understanding of fractional concepts.
“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 Large Fraction Skittles transform abstract fractional concepts into concrete, manipulable wooden forms that children can hold, compare, and arrange. Each skittle's vertical colored sections make visible the mathematical relationships between parts and wholes, addressing the elementary child's need to understand how numbers can be divided and recombined. Through handling these three-dimensional wooden pieces, students discover that fractions represent real quantities, not merely symbols on paper. The skittles' size and weight provide sensorial feedback that reinforces mathematical understanding—a half-skittle feels lighter than a whole, making the concept tangible. By arranging different fraction skittles side by side, children independently discover equivalent fractions and build intuitive understanding of proportional relationships. The vertical format of each skittle allows immediate visual comparison, essential for the concrete operational thinker who needs to see mathematical relationships before abstracting them.
Each order includes everything needed for proper presentation and long-term use.
Follow the Montessori method of presentation for optimal child development.
Introduce the whole skittle, then show how the half-skittle represents one part when the whole is divided into two equal parts
Present each fraction skittle systematically, naming the fraction and counting the colored sections
Invite the child to arrange skittles from largest to smallest fraction
Demonstrate finding equivalent fractions by aligning skittles of the same height
Every material is carefully selected for durability, safety, and authentic Montessori experience.
Each skittle is crafted from solid hardwood, providing the weight and durability needed for repeated handling while maintaining the natural warmth that invites touch and exploration.
The fraction sections use precisely cut colored wood inlays rather than paint, ensuring the visual distinctions remain clear and permanent through years of classroom use.
Each material supports multiple areas of child development simultaneously.
Three-dimensional representation allows children to physically experience how fractions relate to wholes, moving from concrete to abstract understanding.
Comparing the graduated sizes and colored sections develops the ability to perceive and understand fractional relationships spatially.
Manipulating the skittles while discussing fractions builds precise mathematical vocabulary and conceptual understanding simultaneously.
Designed for child-sized hands
Professional tips from AMI-trained guides to maximize the educational value of this material.
“Store skittles upright in a designated tray to maintain their visual impact and accessibility”
Introduce fraction vocabulary naturally as children manipulate the pieces—avoid abstract explanations
Create extension cards showing fraction problems that children can solve using the skittles
Use the skittles alongside other fraction materials to reinforce concepts through varied representations
Everything you need to know about this material.
The set includes skittles showing halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, sixths, eighths, tenths, and twelfths. Each fraction is displayed through vertical colored sections on wooden skittles, with different heights corresponding to the fractional values for easy visual comparison.
Children manipulate the skittles to compare fractions physically, arrange them by size, find equivalent fractions, and perform basic operations. The three-dimensional design allows students to see and feel the relationships between different fractions, making abstract concepts concrete and tangible.
The Large Fraction Skittles are bigger in size, making them easier for younger children to handle and more visible for group demonstrations. The larger format enhances the visual impact of fractional relationships and is particularly suitable for classroom presentations and collaborative work.
This material teaches fraction identification, comparison of fractions, equivalent fractions, ordering fractions from smallest to largest, basic fraction operations, and the relationship between fractions and whole numbers. It provides a foundation for understanding decimals and percentages in later work.
The high-quality wooden construction ensures decades of classroom use, while the precise manufacturing maintains mathematical accuracy. This hands-on material transforms abstract fraction concepts into concrete experiences, supporting multiple learning styles and providing a sensorial foundation that digital resources cannot replicate.
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