What’s included:

Long bead chain worksheets for chains 1, 2, 3 and 4
Each worksheet shows both multiplication notation (e.g. 2 x 2 x 2 = 8) and exponent notation (e.g. 2³ = 8), providing a concrete and visual introduction to exponents
Control chart with colour coded beads in traditional Montessori bead colours for independent self-checking
PDF format, print and use

How to use: Children complete each worksheet after working with the corresponding physical bead chain, recording each multiple in the arrow labels along the chain. Control charts allow for independent self-checking at every step. Unlike traditional multiplication teaching, in Montessori children don’t work through the chains in numerical order. Each worksheet works as a standalone activity, allowing children to dip in and out freely. For a hands-on extension, children can cut out the strips and attach them together with tape or string to create their own paper bead chains — a wonderful alternative for homeschool families or classrooms without the physical material.

Perfect for: Montessori elementary classrooms, homeschool families, and traditional classroom teachers exploring multiplication tables, skip counting and the concept of cubing and exponents. Particularly well suited for special education settings, neurodivergent learners, and any child who benefits from hands-on, visual, and multi-sensory approaches to learning. Ideal for grades 1 to 5.