Material
- Two similar boxes, each divided into five long compartments. At the back of each compartment is painted the number symbol. (The numbers go from 0 to 9).
- There are 45 spindles.
Direct aim
To show that the symbols represent a distinct quantity of separate objects unlike the rods. The introduction of zero by means of the first empty compartment. The sequence of the numbers is given here as the order of the symbols painted on the compartments are in sequence.
Age of great interest
4 to 5 years
Control of error
If the counting has been incorrect, there will not be enough spindles left to complete the 9, or else there will be too many!
Teacher’s presentation: For individual
- On mat, on floor or on a table: Bring over the two boxes of spindles and place all the spindles in front of them.
- Show the child the numbered compartments and ask him what each one is.
- Explain 0 to him now (or after the next step, when all the spindles are back in the box), saying “this is zero, zero means nothing.”
- The teacher puts the correct number of spindles separately back in the compartments, counting out loud.
- When they are all in correctly, the child may take out the spindles and repeat the exercise.
Variations
i) Group the spindles in each compartment, with a rubber band.
ii) Oral: The teacher can follow the empty zero tray of the spindle box by asking the child:“knock 0 times on the table”. “Knock 4 times on the table”. “Jump zero times”.The children love these games.