I know that they are both technically manipulatives because you use your hands but they seem very different to me and I was wondering if anyone had some insight to share on this before we get a curriculum for my kids. I know nothing about the abacus but think it is very interesting and would love to learn I hated math as a kid and don’t want my kids to hate it too. I am about to buy the math u see program because it has the manipulatives like i think would work best for them. appreciate your thoughts THANKS!!
I plan on doing both. I have math u see and once we are done primer level(since we are scheduled to be finished before December) I want to do the abacus before starting grade one math to give him a good base in both area
i’m planning on doing both as well
we are doing kindergarten Math in Focus (singapore math)
and are starting Miquon Math which uses Cuisenaire Rods (similar to math u see but much cheaper)
both programs are big on manipulatives but Math in Focus does more word problems and mental math
i do not believe ether uses the abacus so i’m looking for a good, fun program that uses the abacus
my daughter will be starting first grade in January so i would like to start it then
any thoughts?
I’m just venturing an opinion here, since I’m still researching this. I think, in the long run, the abacus is more resourceful.
Take a look at this video comparing it to a calculator:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj7XbnYrIk0
Here is another short video on two types of abacuses:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvsnftXXKdw&feature=fvw
Hello Everyone,
Below are two sites that I have heard about through a soroban yahoo group, which I am a member. I am leaning towards mathabacus, but I am waiting for my son’s abacus to arrive, which I bought from a local school, seeing as how he may be better able to work with an abacus with bigger beads rather than the one offered on mathabacus. Hope this helps and take care!!
hi i am very happy to hear from all caretaking moms. Abacus is really a boon for the kids.Even the kids who doesn’t know to write number names in word can do calculations ,if the kid knows numbers from 1 to 99.Abacus does miracles if learnt properly.It enhances overall brain development, improves concentration and memory power , the child becomes good at photographic memory.Learning abacus improves both right and left brain development. As an abacus instructor i have witnessed a tremendous improvement in my students not only in maths but also in overall extra curricular activities and academics.
In our country we are using AL Abacus for teaching Math for first grade/ this is addition and subtraction 1- 100/All of
the children are managing well with it. But we do not use it for multiplication and division.Also math was one of my favorite subjects at school.When you have a good fondation of math it’s easier and it’s pleasure to learn math in the higher stages.
I think that both abacus and manipulatives are good becuse the children are using their hands and can see the result of the task.It does’t matter what you use but the most important thing is the effect of this.You receive joy and satisfaction.