Montessori Red Rods (set of 10)

PRESENTING THE MATERIAL

The material consists of a series of 10 red rods of progressive dimensions:

• The shortest rod measures 10 cm long and 2.5 cm wide.
• The longest rod measures 1 metre.
• The rods increase in 10 cm increments.

HOW THE ACTIVITY UNFOLDS

1. Lay a mat on the floor, away from the shelf where the rods are stored.
2. Bring the rods one by one onto the mat, placing them in a random arrangement. Show the child different ways to carry them:
   • Holding the rod in one hand, along the body, as with the cubes of the Pink Tower.
   • Holding the rod vertically in front of you, with both hands.
   • Holding the rod horizontally, with both hands placed at each end.
3. Once all the rods are on the mat, sit down with the child. Take hold of the longest rod, run your fingers along its full length, then place it at the top of the mat.
4. Next, choose the longest of the remaining rods and place it against the first one, aligning the left ends. Again run your fingers along its length.
5. Continue in this way, each time choosing the longest rod, until all the rods are arranged in descending order.
6. Stand up and walk around the mat to observe the work.
7. Invite the child to do the activity in turn. Mix up the rods once they have finished.
8. Put the rods back on the shelf, starting with the longest.

VARIATION

Once the child has mastered the activity, show them how to place the shortest rod at each end of the other rods, going up and then back down.

When the child can do it very well, tell them you are going to show them something. Take the shortest of the rods and place it at each end of the other rods, starting from the bottom and then coming back down.