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KTeacherTiff

A Day in a Kindergarten Classroom

by: Tiffany Brosig

DIY Rekenreks

I’m excited to be sharing an easy project with you today–one of my favorite math tools: rekenreks!

I don’t know about you, but I love to use rekenreks in my classroom. If you’ve never heard of rekenreks before, you will! These arithmetic racks consist of two strings, with a row of beads on each string. Each row is traditionally made up of five red beads and five white beads, but you can use any two colors you like. They are great for helping students to understand number concepts such as basic addition and subtraction, subitizing, and decomposing numbers. These have become an essential part of my math workshop, but they are an expensive purchase!

Two years ago, I created my own rekenreks for my classroom using cheap materials–an old cardboard box, string, and pony beads. They were great for a little while, but this year, they’ve been driving me nuts. The bending…the rattling… ahhh my blood pressure shoots up just thinking about it. During a recent committee meeting, my supervisors shared these awesome homemade rekenreks that are durable and inexpensive to make. I went straight to Lowe’s and got to work!
Here are my old rekenreks… You can make them from cardboard, but don’t.

What I’m about to show you is a much better method of making rekenreks that will last a lifetime!

How to Make Durable Rekenreks
You will need: 
Lowe’s choice poplar wood size 1/4 x 4 x 4 (one board makes five Rekenreks)
Elastic cord
Pony beads
Here is what the boards look like at Lowe’s.
The nice folks who work there cut them for free, even though there is a sign saying that they charge for each cut after the first three. I know many other teachers in my town have had the same experience. If your Lowe’s is going to charge you, you can always have someone with a saw do it for you or do it yourself. I was being kind to the hubs by sparing him the task. I got five rekenreks out of each board.
Then, I marked off and drilled some holes. Ignore the toddler foot in the background.

 Yeah, I know this was not the best setup. Don’t make fun. After drilling the holes, get some sandpaper and give the edges and the areas around the holes a quick sanding.

I stole found and used this elastic cord from the supply cupboard at my school. These two packs weren’t quite enough for all 20. You can find bigger packs in the children’s craft section at Wal-Mart.
I cut each string of elastic just slightly longer than the board itself. Different sizes and brands of elastic stretch differently, so you’ll need to experiment with one or two. Thread the cord through one side and let it hang back there. Then, string ten pony beads onto the string (five of one color and five of another). Now, thread the other side of elastic through the hole and stretch tightly on the back side. Tie the two ends in a knot and repeat about four times to make sure it holds. 

 Trim the excess string along the back. This is what the finished product will look like!

I made 20 rekenreks for less than thirty dollars, and it only took a day. I hope you decide to make some of these for your classroom!

Comments

  4. 4

    Luv My Kinders says

    Love these! I had already decided to make a large rekenrek with PVC and pool noodles for me to model on in my classroom for the coming year, but I am going to have to make these for my kiddos. Thanks so much for sharing!

    ~Laura
    Luv My Kinders

    Reply
  5. 5

    Jennifer Ingram says

    I make mine out of laminated construction paper. I cut the paper in half, put a sticker on the right so the kids know which way is up, the laminate. I use a two hole punch for the holes ( love that thing) and "balloon" string. I have the kids put the beads on (which my aide and I check) the tie and tape them. They last all year then I send them home with them at the end of the year with a sheet of activities.

    Reply
  6. 6

    Jennifer Ingram says

    I made my teacher rekenrek out of artist canvas. It's easy to hold and hang up and it fits on the Elmo if I need it to.

    Reply
  7. 7

    Laura Schachter says

    Love rekenreks! Mine are made out of carpet treads for stairs. I love yours! So sturdy!!
    Laura

    Reply
  8. 8

    Tiffany says

    Now this is super clever!! Love the idea. 😉 You go girl!

    ((Hugs))
    Tiffany

    Reply
  9. 9

    Mrs. McClain says

    Thanks for sharing rekenreks. I went to a math PD just before the school year was over, and the presenter had us practicing with these! Yours are much fancier than the ones I used at my PD but they are oh-so-fabulous!

    Jasmine
    Buzzing With Mrs. McClain

    Reply
  10. 10

    Laura Schachter says

    I love these! Mine are made from carpet stair treads. Pretty sturdy, but I am envying yours!! Might have to make another trip to the hardware store. I think I live at that place 🙂 They always laugh when they see me coming. "What are you trying to make this time???"
    Laura
    Differentiation Station Creations

    Reply
  12. 12

    Tiffany Brosig says

    Hi Andrea!

    I have never had an issue with a student trying to cut the strings, Thankfully!

    Reply

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