These kits are designed to provide students with new insights into mathematics through fun, historically accurate, hands-on activities. All materials, instructions for students on cards in a plastic case, and worksheets for four students are included. Information sheets give you and your students additional background, challenges, and tips. Students use clay and a stylus as they become scribes and record cuneiform numbers.
Students gain concrete experience with grouping and regrouping ones and tens using just two symbols.
Those who want an extra challenge can work in base 60 as the Babylonians did. Young scribes can use the simple base 10 system while more experienced scribes can try Egyptian multiplication. The Mayans were one of only three groups in the world to invent the zero. Find how they used only three symbols and base 20 to express numbers large and small. Students use sticks, beans, and shells to build, add, and subtract numbers in the positional number system of the Maya.