How to Make a Montessori Bead Chain Chart

If your classroom has the treasured Montessori Bead Cabinet then you must learn how to make a Montessori Bead Chain Chart.

1. You will require the following materials:

2. Fill in the Bead Chain Papers and cut them out.
After the child has completed counting all of the Square Bead Chains and filling in the paper (or has had enough practice that they can fill in the chart without the chains), have them cut each chain section out.

3. Create the color chart using the construction paper.
Using 2 or 3 pieces of construction paper (depending on the size), tape the short ends together to create a long rectangular chart. If you are using our Bead Chain Paper then your color construction chart will need to be approximately 25" x 6" (depending on how much decoration/embellishment your child wants to do). Trim the chart to the approx. size you need.

4. Glue the Bead Chain Papers onto the color chart.
When the papers are glued in the correct order and in alignment from left to right, it's visually appealing to see the chains and numbers growing in succession.

5. Make a Cord to tie the rolled up chart with.
Transporting charts home from school (or storing them) can be tricky. A good method of keeping the chart in relatively good shape for transport is to roll it up and make a cord to tie around it. Using tape will only tear the paper, and possibly ruin the child's work, and using a rubber band isn't very attractive. You can learn how to make a cord here.

What do we do with the Cube Chain papers?
We tape the chain papers end to end to end, to end ... until the chain has been counted and written down. Then we either fold (like an accordion) or roll the papers.

• Bead Chain Paper - either 'blank' or the "Control of Error" copy.
  
• colored construction paper - 3 sheets of  standard 8½ x 11" is fine.
  
• glue stick, or white craft glue (if laminating - use only a glue stick)
  
• clear tape (to join construction paper together
  
• yarn - the length of your arm span
  
• an "S" hook (must have some weight to it)