Math K About This Course

Build Your Own Rekenrek

Supplies Needed:

• 10 red pony beads (provided with the Math Activity Box)

• 10 white pony beads (provided with the Math Activity Box)

• 2 strands of yarn or thick string, 12 inches each, any color

• 1 sturdy paper plate, 8.5-inch diameter (If using a larger plate, adjust the yarn length accordingly.)

• ruler with inch markings

• single hole punch

• pen

Directions:

1. Mark four dots, two on each side of the paper plate. The two dots on each side should be 2.5 inches apart. The top two dots should line up horizontally with each other, and the bottom two dots should also line up horizontally with each other.

2. Using the hole punch, make a hole at each of the four dots. Leave plenty of space between the hole and the edge of the plate so that the hole does not tear open.

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Math K About This Course

3. Using the top left-hand hole, tie one end of the first strand of yarn to the plate. Then string five red pony beads onto the strand of yarn followed by five white pony beads. Tie the other end of the first strand of yarn to the plate, using the top right-hand hole. Make sure the strand of yarn is pulled tight enough so that it is straight and does not sag.

4. Using the bottom left-hand hole, tie one end of the second strand of yarn to the plate. Then string five red pony beads onto the strand of yarn followed by five white pony beads. Tie the other end of the second strand of yarn to the plate, using the bottom right-hand hole. Make sure the strand of yarn is pulled tight enough so that it is straight and does not sag.

5. Your Rekenrek is complete! Store it in the Math Activity Box. The course book will instruct you when to use it.

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