Abacus Teacher Resources

Ever wonder how to use an abacus? Take a step back from the electronics and learn the basic elements with this short video. A student from Annunciation Catholic School explains how to express a number on the abacus. Note: Dialogue may be...

The class reads an explanation of the how the ancient calculation tool, the abacus, works. They examine four abacus images and record the number shown on each of them.

Students investigate the Food Pyramid by constructing a creative project known as a Food Pyramid Abacus. They correlate the color beads withe each food group and the number of recommended servings from each. The abacus is a learning tool...

Interpreting pictures of an abacus, learners write 2-digit numbers. They read and transcribe abacus beads in the tens and ones places. For extension, they draw pictures to represent the numbers 9 and 90. Really bring it to life using a...

For this abacus worksheet, students use abacus pictures to determine 5-digit sums. In this fill in the blank worksheet, students write eight answers.

Students study an abacus while counting marathon runners.  In this place value lesson, students watch a video segment on how counters keep track of marathon runners to reinforce the idea of place value.  

An abacus may be old, but it's still a great visual tool. Young mathemeticians look at, study and analyze 8 abacus images. They look at each image to determine how many beads are in each place value. They work with thousands, hundreds,...

A generation brought up with computers probably can't imagine a world without them. The first video in the series explains advances in early computing. From the abacus to tabulating machines, individuals see how computations were made...

Students examine how a pebble calculator works and compare it to an abacus. After a discussion on the abacus and pebble calculator and how each works, they construct their own pebble calculators. They determine how to represent...

For this math information worksheet, students read one page factual accounts of the early math inventions of the abacus, the calculator and early computers. There are 40 questions to answer about the reading.

Students examine the importance of eating a healthy balanced diet. They read and discuss an article about the Food Guide Pyramid, and construct a Food Pyramid Abacus.

Students work with hundreds place value, create and manipulate three-digit addition problems, and add three-digit numbers.

Practice basic operations for young mathematicians in fun ways! Using two decks of cards (Ace through 10 plus the joker), learners play "memory" by matching numbers that can be added to make 10 and writing number sentences. In another...

School was a lot different in the past. Let your class discover what life in school would be like if they lived in the 1800's. Starting with the ring of the school bell, this presentation shows how kids learned and how they were...

Organization is of the utmost importance when teaching orientation and mobility to learners with visual impairments. To help keep everything in order and provide independence, use these instructions for making a desk organizer. The...

A unique instructional activity that's designed for visually impaired early learners, but can be adapted for anyone, is here for you. Pupils use brightly colored foam letters, beads, checkers, and an abacus, in order to gain practice in...

Students use an abacus as well as a calculator for calculations to bring multicultural awareness and appreciation to this lesson. They discuss the history of the abacus. Students compare/contrast the abacus to the computer.

Students listen to a teacher read aloud of two books about Chinese inventions. They examine some items that were invented by Chinese inventors such as dominoes, an abacus, a silk scarf, or kite. Next, they determine how a compass works...

Looking for ideas for your Lunar New Year celebration? Check out an interdisciplinary unit of study that includes lessons in counting, calligraphy, culture, geography, literature, art, and music. Kung-hsi Fa-ts' ai! (May you become rich!)

Pupils explore several Chinese dynasties and research various topics including papermaking, calligraphy, and Lu Hou. They also demonstrate how to use an abacus and create several math problems to solve with it. Choosing a dynasty,...

Research the interrelationship between math and science. Search the Internet to discover the history of several branches of mathematics and make text-to-world connections between the concepts covered in each branch with related...

Students read two books about Chinese inventions such as the compass, kite or dominoes. They bring in examples of Chinese inventions from home and create a class gallery. They make a compass in class.

In this synonyms and antonyms worksheet, students complete 6 multiple choice questions where they choose the best synonym for a given word. Next, students complete 6 multiple choice questions where they choose the best antonym for a...