The Division Board is a fundamental tool in the Montessori math curriculum. It is a wooden board that is typically found in the Math area of a Montessori classroom. The board is rectangular in shape and has a grid-like pattern with 81 holes. These holes are arranged in 9 rows across and 9 rows down.
At the top of the board, there are numbers printed from 1 to 9, representing the divisor or the number that is being divided. Similarly, on the left-hand side of the board, there are numbers printed from 1 to 9, representing the dividend or the number that is being divided into.
The purpose of the Division Board is to provide a concrete and visual representation of the division process. It helps children understand the concept of division and develop a strong foundation for more complex mathematical operations.
When using the Division Board, a child can physically place pegs or markers into the holes to represent the dividend and divisor. For example, if a child is dividing 18 by 6, they would place 18 markers in the holes corresponding to the number 18 on the left-hand side, and 6 markers in the holes corresponding to the number 6 at the top.
The child then proceeds to organize the markers into equal groups to find the quotient or the answer to the division problem. They can do this by moving the markers around the board, redistributing and grouping them as needed. The child can visually see how many markers are in each group and how many groups are formed.
By physically manipulating the markers and visually observing the division process on the board, the child gains a deeper understanding of the concept of division. They can see that division is about sharing or distributing a quantity equally, and they can see how the quotient is derived from the dividend and divisor.
The Division Board also provides a hands-on and interactive learning experience. It engages the child’s senses and allows them to actively participate in the learning process. This kinesthetic approach to learning helps solidify their understanding and enhances their mathematical reasoning skills.
Furthermore, the Division Board can be used as a tool for practice and reinforcement. Once a child has grasped the concept of division, they can use the board to solve various division problems. They can experiment with different dividends and divisors, exploring different scenarios and discovering patterns and relationships.
The Division Board is a valuable tool in the Montessori math curriculum. It facilitates a concrete and visual understanding of division, promotes active learning, and helps children develop strong mathematical foundations.