The Dot Game: Static addition (without change)

What is the Dot Game?

The Dot Game is a fun and interesting game where the child finds the sum of two or more numbers using the Dot Board or prepared Dotted paper.

The directress can either use the Dot Board or prepared Dot paper - which is block paper that is divided from left to right into five vertical columns, each column has headings: 10000, 1000, 100, 10, and 1.

The columns are divided into four sections from top to bottom. A sum is written on the right-hand side of the page. The directress also needs the Green, red and blue markers for this activity.

How is Static addition done with the Dot Game?

The directress begins the activity by introducing the materials to the child and reading through the operation with him. The sum is written on the right-hand side of the paper in the correct colour markers using expanded notation, for example: (3452 + 2325)

The directress then tells the child, “we are going to make the numbers in dots on the paper".” She uses the green marker to make two dots in the unit column, she places the dots from left to right in the top row. She then places five dots in the next square for the second addend, the directress counts how many dots there are and records the answer (7) in green in the unit column on the paper.

The directress moves to the tens column and draws five blue dots and asks the child to place another two dots in the next square for the second addend. She then asks the child to add them and record the answer (4) in the correct colour marker in the tens column on the dotted paper.

The child is encouraged to continue in the same manner for the hundreds and thousands, ensuring to record the answer in the correct colour marker, in the correct column.

What does static addition with the Dot Game teach the child?

This activity reinforces expanded notation, as well as the (+) sign, it is further practice in addition using more concrete materials and this activity encourages the child to take an abstract step by associating a dot with the corresponding quantity.

Looking for more Montessori activities?

Here is a list of all the Montessori Maths activities including Early Maths, Introduction to the Decimal System, Seguin Boards, The Hundred Board, The Short Bead Stair, Bead Chains, The Snake Game, Group Operations, The Large Number Rods, Recording with the Small Number Rods, The Short Bead Stair, The Strip Boards, The Boards, The Stamp Game, The Abacus, The Dot Game, and Fractions. Just click on the page you want to learn about to go there.