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!
What I’m about to show you is a much better method of making rekenreks that will last a lifetime!
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.
Trim the excess string along the back. This is what the finished product will look like!
Lynda Williams says
Great idea!
Debbie Crockett says
How cool! I've seen these things but didn't know thery were called rekenreks! Now I just need to know how to say that!
Thanks for sharing
Debbie
Crockett's Classroom, Forever in Third Grade
The Purple Teacher says
What a great idea! It's a great math manipulative that I'll definitely share with the younger grade teachers at school!
Linda
The Purple Teacher
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
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.
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.
Laura Schachter says
Love rekenreks! Mine are made out of carpet treads for stairs. I love yours! So sturdy!!
Laura
Tiffany says
Now this is super clever!! Love the idea. 😉 You go girl!
((Hugs))
Tiffany
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
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
Lynda Williams says
Great idea. Looks like a bit of work, but really cool project. Teaching Science With Lynda
Tiffany Brosig says
Hi Andrea!
I have never had an issue with a student trying to cut the strings, Thankfully!