🔢 STEM Activity: Beaded Number Rods
Great for early math skills like counting, comparing, and patterns.

🎯 Objective:

Help children understand number concepts, counting, sequencing, and measurement using colourful, tactile bead rods.


  • Pipe cleaners or wooden sticks (for rods)

  • Beads in multiple colors

  • Number cards (1–10)

  • Ruler (optional)

  • Marker (to label rods)

1. Create the Rods

  • Slide beads onto a pipe cleaner or stick to represent numbers 1 through 10.
    For example:

    • 1 bead = Rod 1

    • 2 beads = Rod 2

    • ...

    • 10 beads = Rod 10

    • Use a different color pattern for each number rod (e.g., red-green-red-green for 4).

    • Twist or glue the ends to hold beads in place.

🔢 1. Number Match

  • Mix up the rods and number cards.

  • Have kids match the number card to the correct beaded rod.

📏 2. Length Compare

  • Line rods up from shortest to longest.

  • Ask: Which is longer, Rod 3 or Rod 5?

🎨 3. Pattern Building

  • Encourage kids to create their own beaded patterns and describe them.

 

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