Learning Math with Rekenreks

Andrew's early primary class often makes Rekenreks as part of their mathematics learning.

These modified arithmetic racks have 50 beads (arranged in 5 sets of 10 beads of the same colour) tied on to a board by a piece of string. A button is in the middle of each of the 10 beads of the same colour.

The fun starts when the students get to make their rekenreks! They string the beads and buttons on the string and then help attach the strings sand the boards down. The class then practices how to use their boards before the boards get sent home. 

Andrew shares with families a number of creative ways that they cab use their rekenreks. For instance...

• Practice doubles (by putting all the beads in the middle and then taking one bead in each hand, pushing it to the outside while saying "1+1 is 2". Take another bead with each hand from the middle and while pushing it to the outside say "2+2 is 4"... etc... all the way up to "10+10 is 20").

• Count by 1s, 2s, 5s and 10s (forwards and backwards!)

• Represent a number between 0-50 when asked. (e.g. "Show me 21" - i.e. 20+1, or "Show me 19" - i.e. 20 minus 1).

• State how many beads are displayed when an adult shows them a number of beads for 2 or 3 seconds.

• Practice addition by identifying and starting with the larger number and adding the other.” 

Building rekenreks is always engaging and the kids love and are proud of their new rekenreks. It's a fun way to learn and have ownership over math learning!

Date Posted: 2020, updated 2023

Tags: Family & community-centred school environment, Innovative approaches to teaching and learning, math,